Dundalk 0
Longford Town 0
DUNDALK MISSED OUT on the chance to extend their lead at the top to nine points, only managing a draw against a Longford Town side hampered by the first half sending off of their captain Mark Salmon.
Paul Hunt, the visitors’ goalkeeper, had the game of his season and perhaps his career. Everything Dundalk threw at them, he repelled. He made it look easy.
The champions – with new strikers Ciaran Kilduff and Sean Maguire in reserve – started the game brightly but although they were dominant in possession against the visitors, their first real chance of note didn’t arrive until the 18th minute.
From a Dane Massey throw-in, a cute Daryl Horgan flick on was met by David McMillan. The striker’s exquisite first touch set him up for a shot, but his effort went just wide of Hunt’s goal.
Moments later, Ronan Finn flashed a header wide from Massey’s cross as the Lilywhites began to up the ante in their search for an opener. Richie Towell, quiet of late, ghosted in at the back post twice in quick succession but Hunt was alert on both occasions to snuff out the danger.
Longford did have some moments of their own and perhaps could have taken a shock lead on the half hour. Gary Shaw’s backheel on the left touchline allowed Aymen Ben Mohamed to advance with the ball and he crossed for Lorcan Shannon at the back post.
There, the ex-Dundalk player sent his low shot wide.
While Longford’s task was sizeable enough as it was, the visitors were dealt a huge blow just prior to half-time when Salmon was given a straight red card by referee Tomas Connolly.
The midfielder committed a hefty challenge on David McMillan and after no shortage of deliberation time, the official brandished red.
It seemed a strange decision, and on first viewing did not look like a sending-off offence.
As sturdy – and perhaps a little late – as the tackle was, a yellow would have sufficed. The main stand at Oriel Park – populated mostly with home fans – applauded Salmon as he made his way off. There was little sarcasm on show.
In the second half, Dundalk looked no more likely to score than in most of the first half.
New men Kilduff and Maguire were called upon, but it was only in a frentic last 10 minutes that the pressure on 10-man Longford’s goal really started to show.
Rhys Gorman hacked clear when Maguire looked set for a tap in, before the former West Ham youngster saw a close range shot saved by Hunt’s legs.
Then, the goalkeeper saved his shot before Towell broke the offside trap but again – Hunt was equal to what Dundalk could throw his way.
In the last minute, the most remarkable chance. From a Horgan corner, Brian Gartland had the freedom of the area and rose, totally unchallenged, only to head his effort straight at Hunt.
This, especially against 10 men for 50 minutes, is two points lost for the champions. Cork City and a resurgent St Pat’s will look to capatilise.
Dundalk: Gary Rogers, Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey, Stephen O’Donnell (John Mountney, 73), Richie Towell, Ronan Finn, Darren Meenan (Ciaran Kilduff, 60), Daryl Horgan, David McMillan (Sean Maguire, 67).
Longford Town: Paul Hunt, Stephen Rice, Martin Deady, Pat Sullivan, Conor Powell, Lorcan Shannon (Don Cowan, 73), Mark Salmon, Aymen Ben Mohamed (Kaleem Simon, 78), Kevin O’Connor, Gary Shaw, Ryhs Gorman.
Referee: Tomas Connolly.