Dundalk 2
Finn Harps 0
DUNDALK EXTENDED THEIR SSE Airtricity Premier Division lead to 10 points with a comprehensive two-goal victory over Finn Harps at a damp Oriel Park tonight.
Stephen Kenny’s side put further daylight between themselves and Cork City and Derry City, although Cork City have played two games fewer, and Derry two games more, than the reigning champions.
Dundalk bossed the first half and took an early lead through former Derry City attacker Patrick McEleney who ghosted along the edge of the penalty area before firing a shot low into the bottom right-hand corner of Ciaran Gallagher’s net on six minutes.
That appeared to set the tone for a goal-laden evening, however this failed to materialise in the opening 45 minutes as the home side struggled to break down an organised Finn Harps defence.
Gallagher, who had missed the first league meeting between the sides this season due to work commitments, did have to save well though from John Mountney and Daryl Horgan in quick succession.
Dundalk almost increased their lead just before half-time but Paddy Barrett’s close-range header from an in-swinging free-kick thumped the crossbar and Harps escaped further punishment.
The second half began in a subdued manner as Ruairí Keating departed the field on a stretcher in the 52nd minute and his replacement David Scully was one of five Harps players booked in the second half.
Harps manager Ollie Horgan was sent to the stand for protesting following the booking of Gallagher for time-wasting in the 68th minute and his namesake Daryl put the game to bed less than 10 minutes later as he rifled the ball home from 10 yards following Dundalk pressure down the right.
That made it game, set and match to the home side as the fixture wound down to a close with a succession of substitutions and bookings in front of a crowd of 2,053.
Dundalk FC: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon, Paddy Barrett, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey; Chris Shields, Robbie Benson; John Mountney (Ronan Finn 68), Patrick McEleney (Dean Shiels 77), Daryl Horgan; David Mc Millan (Ciaran Kilduff 82)
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Ciaran Coll, Keith Cowan, Packie Mailey, Tommy McMonagle, Josh Mailey; Mickey Funston (BJ Banda 85), Gareth Harkin, Tony McNamee (Mark Coyle 76), Ryan Curran; Ruari Keating (David Scully 82)
Referee: Neil Doyle
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