Dundalk 3
Derry City 1
Dundalk earned a come-from-behind win over Derry City at Oriel Park to widen the gap at the top of the SSE Airtricity League to eight points.
While Cork City now have two games to spare on the champions, a 3-1 win gives Dundalk a vital buffer over their nearest rivals. This game really did feel like ‘must -win’.
Goals from John Mountney, Brian Gartland and David McMillan cancelled out Lukas Schubert’s early opener and eased concern from the home support over Dundalk’s ability to sustain their levels amidst a packed fixture programme.
Candystripes boss Kenny Shiels watched Dundalk’s 1-1 draw with Shamrock Rovers on Tuesday, describing it as ‘insipid’.
Shiels – whose son Dean now plays for the Louth men – said tiredness was starting to affect the champions as the season reached conclusion.
His side, he said, had no such concerns over fatigue and while that wasn’t materially evident in the early stages at Oriel Park, it was Derry that took a sixth minute lead.
Barry McNamee stole in after a tangle between Rory Patterson and Andy Boyle and his shot was saved by Gary Rogers. Dane Massey, poised to clear, slipped and Schubert gleefully took his opportunity.
If Rovers’ point here on Tuesday left the title door ajar for Cork, Schubert’s goal swung the race wide open. However, within 11 minutes, Dundalk edged in front. Stephen Kenny’s side are very much intent on keeping their championship under lock and key.
First, Daryl Horgan won the ball on halfway and burst forward before delivering a right-footed cross. McMillan fluffed his chance but the ball fell to Mountney who composed himself before rifling a shot past Ger Doherty.
On 17 minutes, it was 2-1. After Doherty produced an outstanding save to deny McMillan, Massey hit the crossbar from the corner. The rebound fell onto the head of Brian Gartland, who steered his header into the top corner.
Speaking to RTE’s Tony O’Donoghue during the game, Shiels said there was “nothing in it” and in truth, Derry did pose a threat when going forward. McNamee in particular was a danger whenever he found a pocket of space inside the home side’s final third.
Three goals and more good chances aside, it was entertaining fare in the first half. The early indicators after play resumed was that more was to come. Dundalk had more of the play and more of the chances.
Scoring his 20th goal of a stellar campaign, McMillan gave Dundalk a cushion on 59 minutes. He latched onto Horgan’s brilliant through ball and managed to squeeze a shot past Doherty at his near post.
The winger was in imperious form – no surprise after hearing he’s on the verge of an Ireland call-up, according to Martin O’Neill.
While at Cork, Horgan earned Republic of Ireland Under 21 honours back in 2013. By the time he hopes to eventually earn a senior cap, he may well have proved decisive in denying his former side league glory.
Tonight’s win for Dundalk is huge in title race terms. If they are feeling tired, they certainly didn’t show it.
DUNDALK: Gary Rogers, Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey, Ronan Finn, Stephen O’Donnell (Robbie Benson, 80), John Mountney (Chris Shields, 75), Patrick McEleney, Daryl Horgan, David McMillan (Ciaran Kilduff, 72).
Subs not used: Gabriel Sava, Paddy Barratt, Dean Shiels, Darren Meenan.
DERRY CITY: Ger Doherty, Conor McDermott, Niclas Vemmelund, Max Karner (Ben Doherty, 65), Dean Jarvis, Aaron McEneff, Conor McCormack, Barry McNamee, Lucas Schubert, Ronan Curtis (Nathan Boyle 76), Rory Patterson.
Subs not used: Shaun Patton, Cristian Castells, Harry Monaghan, Keith Ward, Josh Daniels.
REFEREE: Paul McLaughlin (Donegal)
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