Updated at 7.15am
Dundalk 6
Limerick 2
IF THE SIZEABLE crowd that packed into Oriel Park for the visit of Limerick had been chomping at the bit for the return of League of Ireland football after the mid-season break, this was a game that served up everything they could have been hoping for and more.
It had been three weeks since Oriel Park last hosted a game – the shock defeat to Bohemians, Dundalk’s first of the campaign – and there was a palpable eagerness to have that defeated avenged here. If Dundalk had looked as if they may be flagging before the break, the hope was they’d be refreshed here.
A six goal show tells you all you need to know. The line-up was freshened up too as their title defence resumed. Captain Stephen O’Donnell made his first start of the season, while Darren Meenan returned on the wing.
There are few applauses more rapturous at Oriel Park these days than one that greets a Stephen O’Donnell goal. It took just four minutes here. He dispossessed Paul O’Conor in midfield and played a neat one-two with Daryl Horgan before smashing a shot high into the roof of the net.
The visitors had chances of their own. Dundalk were a little too standoffish as both Sean Russell and Sean Harding had shots that troubled Gary Rogers. But fail to take your chances against this Dundalk outfit and punishment is likely.
Not for the first time this season, the familiar pairing of Darren Meenan and Brian Gartland linked up for the Lilywhites’ second. The former’s corner was headed in at the back post by the big centre half. More on that story later.
David McMillan – without a goal in eight games before this match and lacking in confidence in such stark contrast to the season’s start – scored the third five minutes later. It was a fine goal. Ronan Finn played a cute ball around the corner for the striker and from halfway, he strode through on goal and finished expertly.
Stephen Kenny’s men will have tougher tests at Oriel Park soon enough. Cork City, Shamrock Rovers and BATE Borisov all visit Louth in July. But second half defensive lapses here will need to be ironed out before then.
McMillan got his second of the night after 54 minutes, following more Finn magic. But soon after, Limerick had a goal of their own. Sean Harding floated a harmless looking free-kick into the area from some 40 yards and while everyone in the crowd seemed to think it was going wide, so did the goalkeeper. In it floated for 1-4.
Gartland headed in another Meenan corner to restore the four goal cushion minutes later before another defensive howler let Limerick in for another. When Rogers palmed away Dean Clarke’ s shot, Dane Massey headed the loose ball back to his keeper – only for Shane Duggan to steal in for a simple finish.
It almost got worse for Dundalk 15 minutes from time as Massey fouled sub Ross Mann in the area, leaving referee Robbie Rogers to point to the spot. This time, Rogers proved the hero as he dived right to smother Shane Tracey’s penalty.
Just before the 90 minutes, Dundalk sub Jake Kelly’s shot was deflected in off Limerick sub Tony Whitehead to condemn the visitors to a heavy 6-2 trouncing.
It was maybe a little harsh on them, with Martin Russell’s side at least sticking to their guns in passing the ball on the ground despite the quality of opposition ahead of them. They come out of the game with some credit.
Still, they are without a win in the league this campaign though. Dundalk – after a near perfect opening four months – have got their second half of the season off to a flyer.
DUNDALK: Gary Rogers, Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey, Stephen O’Donnell (Chris Shields, 60), Richie Towell, Ronan Finn, Darren Meenan, Daryl Horgan (Jake Kelly, 80), David McMillan (John Mountney, 68).
LIMERICK: Conor O’Donnell, Sean Harding (Tony Whitehead, 86), Aidan Price, Sean Purcell, Robbie Williams, Shane Tracey, Shane Duggan, Paul O’Conor, Darragh Rainsford (Vinny Faherty, 62), Jason Hughes (Ross Mann, 62), Dean Clarke.
MAN OF THE MATCH: David McMillan (Dundalk)
REFEREE: Rob Rogers
Originally published at 11pm 26 June.