Dundalk 2
Bohemians 0
Barry Landy reports from Oriel Park
GOALS IN EACH half from David McMillan and Michael Duffy helped Dundalk return to winning ways courtesy of a 2-0 victory against Bohemians at Oriel Park.
At the end of a testing week, Stephen Kenny implored his players — and the Oriel Park crowd — to respond and they did so in kind. It took McMillan just nine minutes to head in his fifth goal of the campaign. Duffy’s superb strike calmed the nerves and secured the points.
The champions know that with Cork City mounting a relentless early season charge at the top of the division they can’t afford to spare points, especially at home and especially against teams in the bottom half of the table.
They never looked worried against a Bohs team missing several key men through injury.
The Lilywhites scored with their first real attack of the match. Duffy released the superb Patrick McEleney down the right. Racing to keep the ball in play, he managed to curl in a brilliant cross which McMillan met with a diving header to beat Supple from close range.
Duffy was twice denied as Dundalk pressed for a second. Centre back Sean Hoare also saw a header saved but Bohemians had a flash or two of promise. Kaleem Simon’s shot was blocked by Stephen O’Donnell and Gary Rogers was behind Jamie Doyle’s low shot.
Just before half time, the irrepressible Duffy went close again. He hit a shot with the outside of his boot that required Supple to dive right and parry away. The former Derry City and Celtic winger was not be denied, however.
On 66 minutes, sub Steven Kinsella squared to the winger in a central position. He took a touch before drilling a low shot right into the bottom right corner of Supple’s net. He’ll struggle to hit a ball as true as that all season long.
The Gyspies offered little in the way of quality going forward late on. Fitzgerald curled a free kick well over the bar before Keith Ward sent a long range shot wide for Keith Long’s men. With the game’s last kick, Simon had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside.
Wins elsewhere for Cork and Bray mean it’s as you were at the top of the Premier Division.
Dundalk: Gary Rogers, Niclas Vemmelund, Brian Gartland, Sean Hoare, Dane Massey, Chris Shields, Stephen O’Donnell (Conor Clifford, 74), Jamie McGrath (Steven Kinsella, 65), Patrick McEleney (Thomas Stewart, 86), Michael Duffy, David McMillan.
Subs Not Used: Gabriel Sava, Paddy Barratt, John Mountney, Ciaran Kilduff.
Bohemian FC: Shane Supple, Derek Pender, Dan Byrne, Rob Cornwall, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Paddy Kavanagh, Ian Morris, Fuad Sule (Keith Ward, 83), Kaleem Simon, Oscar Brennan, Jamie Doyle (Dean Casey, 69).
Subs Not Used: Greg Murray, Steven Nolan, Philip Gannon, Dylan Hayes, Jamie Hamilton.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin (Donegal)