Dundalk 1
Limerick 0
HAVING FALLEN SHORT of league title success by just three points last season, Stephen Kenny could point to the damage done Dundalk’s bogey-team as a major factor in having to settle for second best.
That team was Limerick, who took seven of a possible nine from Dundalk in league competition.
This year, the Lilywhites have lead the pack for the most part and an improvement against their opponents from Shannonside has gone some way to in mounting their lead at the top of the division. Wins at Oriel Park in March and at Thomond back in May has alleviated any sense of dread that accompanied a visit to or from Limerick.
Just as Cork City were handed a route back into the title race last week, Dundalk knew a hat-trick win was paramount as they welcomed Martin Russell’s side to Oriel.
Regaining momentum was key after last week’s derby draw in Drogheda. An 84th minute goal from Patrick Hoban helped to do just that, ensuring the Louth men had done the league treble over Limerick this time around. For much of the game though, it looked like Dundalk’s failure to put their chances away would offer Cork City further invitation back into this title race.
Nudge
Rory Gaffney, with four goals in his last two games, had the ball in the Dundalk net just two minutes in but referee Rob Rogers ruled that out after spotting a nudge on Dundalk defender Brian Gartland.
Early on there was a lack of goalmouth action but not so of sloppiness, especially on the home side’s part. Chris Shields and Daryl Horgan in particular were guilty of handing possession to Limerick on numerous occasions.
When they did hit their stride however, Dundalk looked as capable as ever of breaking the deadlock. Dane Massey went close before Kurtis Byrne blazed a close range volley over and Richie Towell saw an effort saved superbly by Barry Ryan after the SWAI/SSE Airtricity League Player of the Month nicked the ball from Stephen Folan.
Ryan was in superb form throughout, a far cry from his younger brother Dave back in April. Playing for Drogheda United, he conceded seven at Oriel Park that day. It seemed as if Dundalk would never get the better of the elder brother on Friday evening. When a wonderful move ended in Hoban’s header being repelled by Ryan, it seemed like one of those nights.
That was until the 84th minute. Darren Meenan’s corner was met at the near post by the Galwegian striker who nodded in. Needless to say, there was a palpable sense of relief among the majority of the 2,256 inside Oriel when the net, finally bulged.
DUNDALK: Peter Cherrie, Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey, Richie Towell, Chris Shields (Ruaidhri Higgins, 79), Daryl Horgan, Kurtis Byrne (David McMillan, 70), Darren Meenan, Patrick Hoban.
Substitutes: Gabriel Sava, Mark Griffin, Donal McDermott, John Mountney, Mark Rossiter.
LIMERICK: Barry Ryan, Patrick Nzuzi, Samuel Oji, Stephen Folan, Robbie Williams, Jason Hughes, Shane Duggan, Lee-J Lynch, Ian Turner (Shane Tracy, 85), Jack Doherty (Kieran Djalili, 73), Rory Gaffney (Tam McManus, 64).
Substitutes: Shane Cusack (GK), Prince Agyemang, Michael Leahy, Shane O’Connor.
REFEREE: Rob Rogers (Dublin)