Dundalk 8 (eight)
Limerick 0
Caoimhín Reilly reports from Oriel Park
DUNDALK BRAVED THE Beast from the East as their western contingent ran riot against Limerick at Oriel Park tonight.
Patrick Hoban marked his first home start since returning to the club with a brace – ending his 1,229-day wait since last scoring for the Lilywhites – as Limerick’s unbeaten start was brought to an emphatic end.
Fellow Connacht men Stephen Folan and Ronan Murray played huge roles in the victory, with defender Folan netting his first league goal for the club.
Dundalk were unable to find the net in either of their previous two matches, but Hoban ended the drought on seven minutes when stabbing home Murray’s cross.
Robbie Benson added the goal of the night just three minutes later by firing to the corner from the edge of the area.
Dundalk added an inevitable third as Hoban picked out the bottom corner, and Folan then nodded Michael Duffy’s delivery home to send Stephen Kenny’s men to the break 4-0 in front.
The relentless siege continued after the break as substitute Karolis Chvedukas opened his Dundalk account past the hour-mark shortly before the impressive Duffy found the bottom corner to put the hosts further clear.
Dylan Connolly added a seventh after rounding Limerick ‘keeper Brendan Clarke, while Duffy turned up goal number eight in injury time to ensure maximum damage as the Lilywhites picked up their first league win of the new season.
Dundalk FC: Gary Rogers; Seán Gannon, Daniel Cleary, Stephen Folan, Dane Massey; Chris Shields (Karolis Chvedukas 60), Robbie Benson (Krisztián Adorján 75); Dylan Connolly, Ronan Murray, Michael Duffy; Patrick Hoban (Marco Tagbajumi 67)
Limerick FC: Brendan Clarke; Shaun Kelly, Kilian Cantwell, Darren Dennehy, Shane Tracy; Eoin Wearen (Tony Whitehead 61), Shane Duggan; William Fitzgerald, Colm Walsh-O’Loghlen, Billy Dennehy; Connor Ellis (Mark O’Sullivan 61)
Referee: Paul Tuite (Dublin)