Dundalk 4
Finn Harps 0
Caoimhin Reilly reports from Oriel Park
IT’S NOW SEVEN games and 10 seasons since Finn Harps defeated Dundalk. Their latest attempt being tonight’s 4–0 defeat to the Lilywhites at Oriel Park.
The game was effectively won over a five-minute period at the start of second half, where a fortuitous goal from Robbie Benson preceded a neat finish from David McMillan.
Patrick McEleney added a third for the hosts and in some style too as he nonchalantly dinked the ball to the corner of the net from the edge of the area, while Jamie McGrath added a fourth with 10 minutes to play.
The scoreline was probably harsh on Harps considering how well they defended in the opening half, however, Dundalk were the far superior side on the night with McMillan key once again.
McEleney, Michael Duffy and McMillan linked well in the first-half but, as has been the case so often this season, the opposing keeper wasn’t tested enough.
McMillan came closest to breaking the deadlock and he really ought to have done so on the stroke of half-time when he skipped inside Killian Cantwell only to drive his left-footed effort wide of the target.
The floodgates opened in the second half though, as Benson broke the deadlock on 51 minutes. A genius flick from McEleney set Massey in on goal. The left-back’s shot was wonderfully saved by Gallagher only for the ball to rebound off Benson and into the net.
Harps had a penalty claim waved away when Sean Houston tumbled in the area and McMillan doubly incensed Harps boss Ollie Horgan by making it 2-0 on the breakaway. The striker raced onto a through ball from McEleney before gliding around the advancing keeper and passing it to the net.
McEleney added a third with the goal of the match just past the hour-mark, delicately chipping the ball to the corner of the net before substitute McGrath rounded off the scoring by hammering the ball to the roof of the net from inside the penalty area.
The Lilywhites pushed for a fifth to no avail, however, they did ensure a clean sheet and a first home league victory since 12 May.
Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Seán Gannon, Brian Gartland, Niclas Vemmelund, Dane Massey; Stephen O’Donnell (Chris Shields 71), Robbie Benson; Michael Duffy, Patrick McEleney (Ciaran Kilduff 73), Thomas Stewart (Jamie McGrath 62); David McMillan
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Damien McNulty, Killian Cantwell, Ciaran Coll, Gareth Harkin; Ethan Boyle, Paddy McCourt (Barry Molloy 65); Caolan McAleer, Johnny Bonner (Eddie Dsane 60), Seán Houston (Pascal Millien 73); Danny Morrissey
Referee: Ben Connolly (Dublin)
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!