Dundalk 7
Drogheda United 0
DUNDALK’S FULL BACKS set Stephen Kenny’s side on their way to return to the top of the SSE Airtricity League with a 7-0 rout at Oriel Park and in doing so helped to condemn fierce rivals Drogheda United to a sixth defeat in seven matches.
At half time, the Oriel faithful were treated to a performance by female dance troupe ‘The Siren Girls’ but it was the twinkle-toes of Dundalk’s left back Dane Massey that made the biggest impression on the pitch. An ever improving side, these latest win may set alarm bells ringing amongst their title rivals.
Just after the half hour, Massey danced into the Drogheda area from the left, before cutting back from the byline. There to meet his cross, surprisingly, was right back Sean Gannon, who was composed enough to settle himself before firing past Ryan.
Shortly after the restart, Darren Meenan and Pat Hoban combined to set up Richie Towell for a shot. When that was saved, Daryl Horgan was on hand to tap home the rebound for 2-0.
On 62 minutes, substitute Paul Crowley turned a cross into his own net before Andy Boyle sidefooted home from a yard and David McMillan drilled home from a tight angle to compound the away side’s woes and in turn send their local rivals back to the league’s summit.
Richie Towell wasn’t to be denied either and he added a sixth on 78 minutes before McMillan added his second. It could have been more. A rout and the opening day’s heavy defeat well and truly avenged for Dundalk.
DUNDALK: Peter Cherrie, Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle, Chris Shields, Daryl Horgan (Mark Griffin 71), Patrick Hoban (David McMillan, 63), Kurtis Byrne (Keith Ward, 80), Dane Massey, Richie Towell, Darren Meenan.
Substitutes: Keith Ward, Ruaidhri Higgins, Mark Griffin, David McMillan, Mark Rossiter, Simon Kelly, Gabriel Sava.
DROGHEDA UNITED: David Ryan, Michael Daly, Shane Grimes, Paul Andres, Alan McNally, Eric Foley, Gavan Holohan, Carl Walshe (Paul Crowley, 57), Gary O’Neill (Philly Hughes, 73) , Declan O’Brien (Sean O’Connor, 75), Ciaran McGuigan.
Substitutes: Dylan Connolly, Paul Crowley, Philip Hughes, Daire Doyle, Sean O’Connor, Dominic Mahon, Roy Kierans.
REFEREE: Tomas Connolly