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Dundalk striker David McMillan (file pic). Morgan Treacy/INPHO
mac attack

Dundalk capitalise on early Limerick red card to move back into second

Two goals from David McMillan helped to secure a second successive victory for Stephen Kenny’s side.

Limerick 0
Dundalk 3

Andrew Cunneen reports from the Markets Field

DUNDALK MADE IT back-to-back wins as they left Shannonside with all three points following a comfortable victory over Limerick.

New Blues boss Neil McDonald was in the dugout for the game, but the team selection was handed to former interim manager Willie Boland. He handed defender Barry Cotter his league debut after a solid performance against Cork in the EA Sports Cup. Dundalk went with an unchanged XI from their win over Sligo Rovers last week.

The early stages were low-key but the game changed on a bizarre sending-off after 20 minutes.

Limerick goalkeeper Brendan Clarke is known to sweep up opposition attacks on the edge of his area, and he did just that on this occasion. However, the ball fell to Dundalk winger Michael Duffy who shot swiftly.

Clarke, outside his box, jumped up and stopped the goalbound effort. Referee Paul McLaughlin rushed to the scene and gave the Dublin native his marching orders.

Limerick were under heavy pressure and the treaty city walls collapsed 10 minutes later.

Patrick McEleney effortlessly glided into the box, turning Paul O’Conor and Barry Cotter in the process. O’Conor stuck out a leg and McEleney went down under the challenge. Referee Paul McLaughlin pointed straight to the spot.

Dave McMillan netted past sub ‘keeper Freddy Hall, sending him the wrong way.

The result was put to bed before the end of the first half when McMillan brought his tally to eight league goals for the season.

Michael Duffy beat Tommy Robson down Limerick’s left flank and unleashed a venomous cross to the near post, where McMillan was on hand to rocket a brilliant header past Hall.

Limerick struggled to live with the Dundalk pressure — occasionally launching to Chiedozie Ogbene to get in behind the Lilywhites’ defence, but by and large they were kept quiet in a game that was over at half-time.

Sean Gannon would go on to net in the last minute of normal time — just to add gloss to the scoreline.

Limerick: Brendan Clarke; Barry Cotter (Ian Turner, 78), Paul O’Conor, Robbie Williams, Tommy Robson; Bastien Hery, Shane Duggan; Chiedozie Ogbene, Lee-J Lynch (Freddy Hall, 20), Dean Clarke; Chris Mulhall (Rodrigo Tosi, 68).

Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Niclas Vemmelund (Sean Gannon, 68), Paddy Barrett, Sean Hoare, Dane Massey; Robbie Benson (Stephen O’Donnell, 60), Chris Shields; Michael Duffy, Patrick McEleney, Jamie McGrath; Dave McMillan (Ciaran Kilduff, 85).

Referee: Paul McLaughlin.

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