Dundalk 2
Bohemians 0
Caoimhín Reilly reports from Oriel Park
DUNDALK MADE IT a club record 11 straight league wins at Oriel Park tonight to move back to the top of the Premier Division table.
Seán Hoare broke Bohs’ stern resistance with a flicked header just past the half hour and from there onwards the outcome was in little doubt.
Despite the second leg of their Europa League tie with AEK Larnaca being on the horizon, Stephen Kenny fielded all but one of the starters from Thursday night’s encounter with the Cypriots, with Dean Jarvis coming in for Dane Massey in defence.
However, it was the Gypsies, who scored six against Bray Wanderers in their last match, who started the brighter and ought to have taken the lead when Daniel Kelly broke free inside the area. His shot was straight at Gary Rogers, though.
After a slow opening, the Lilywhites soon wrestled control and took the lead when Hoare converted Michael Duffy’s corner on 31 minutes.
A dubious-looking penalty was awarded six minutes into the second half and provided the hosts with a more comfortable advantage.
Jarvis went down under the rather lazy challenge of Dan Casey and while the contact looked minimal, referee Robert Hennessey pointed straight to the spot. Patrick Hoban stepped up to fire home his 23rd goal of the campaign.
Bohs enjoyed a spell of pressure as full-time approached. Ian Morris rattled the side-netting while Keith Ward was twice denied, firstly striking the inside of the post before Brian Gartland cleared his follow-up effort off the line.
Dundalk FC: Gary Rogers; Seán Hoare, Brian Gartland, Daniel Cleary, Dean Jarvis; Chris Shields, Robbie Benson (Karolis Chvedukas 75); Dylan Connolly (Patrick McEleney 59), Jamie McGrath, Michael Duffy; Patrick Hoban (Georgie Kelly 85)
Bohemians: Shane Supple; Andy Lyons, Dan Casey, Ian Morris, Darragh Leahy; Oscar Brennan (Dan Byrne 56), JJ Lunney (Keith Ward 59); Daniel Kelly, Keith Buckley, Kevin Devaney; Dinny Corcoran (Danny Grant 75)
Referee: Robert Hennessey (Limerick)
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