REPORT: Dundalk 3 - 0 Monaghan

Title favourites Dundalk jumped to the summit of the eircom League of Ireland First Division at Oriel Park on Thursday night, thanks to a comfortable 3-0 win over local rivals Monaghan United. A Robbie Martin goal in either half, added to a strike from fellow debutant David Cassidy, did the damage; as the Lilywhites netted their first win of the new season having drawn at Shelbourne last week.

Martin opened the scoring after only eight minutes as he charged down a clearance from visiting ‘keeper Brendan Kennedy, with the rebound falling fortuitously for the striker as the ball bounced into an unguarded net. Dundalk had to wait until just before the break to make it two, as the in-rushing Cassidy slotted home following a Jamie Duffy cross. And, after a dominant second-half display which seen Monaghan unable to threaten, Martin grabbed his second of the night as he fired in a smashing shot from the edge of the area.

John Gill made three changes to his starting line-up from the Shels game, as Aaron Shanahan, Ian Ryan and Shane Grimes replaced the unavailable trio of goalkeeper Chris Bennion, captain Aidan Lynch (both suspended) and centre-half Ben Whelehan (injured). However, it was one of the players who remained from last week who got the hosts off to a flier, as Martin’s tireless work earned him his first goal in his new colours.

The 25-year-old could have doubled his tally soon after, only to see his shot blocked, before Ryan’s superb intervention at the other end prevented Monaghan from getting an undeserved equaliser, as the uncompromising central defender intercepted a cross which Monaghan forward Philip Sheppard was waiting to tap home. At the other end, Dundalk again went close just before the half-hour, as ex-Mon Robbie Farrell firstly saw his header saved by Kennedy, before Martin somehow missed from six-yards at the back post, after Farrell had initially failed to connect with a Duffy delivery which went right across the face of goal.

On 37 minutes, Dundalk found themselves in again, however, Martin’s shot from outside the box was gathered, before the striker was thwarted by the visiting defence just moments later after being teed up by Paul Shiels. The Lilywhites were to deservedly double their lead before the interval, however, as Duffy made a good run down the right flank, before crossing for the Cassidy to slot home, for an excellent all-round goal.

The second-half was to provide little in the way of goalmouth action, as Grimes had his effort easily saved by Kennedy, before substitute Eoin Lannigan’s attempted chip from 30-yards was gathered on the line by the backtracking Shanahan. Indeed, it wasn’t until with just sixteen minutes to go that the first clear opportunity of the half came. The never ending running of Martin saw the forward rob possession on the edge of the area, however, after a good pull-back, Trevor Vaughan was unable to find the net as his shot from 12-yards went inches wide.

In the final ten minutes, Dundalk went close through both Duffy and sub Paul Smyth, before the latter assisted in the hosts finally making it 3-0 late in the game. After cutting in from the left wing, Smyth fed Martin, who stayed calm to fire home a fantastic shot - a goal which was no more than the Leixlip man deserved. Dundalk could have added even more following that; however, the Lilywhites will be content with a good night’s work.

Dundalk FC (4-4-2): Aaron Shanahan; John Flanagan, Ian Ryan, David Crawley, Shane Grimes; Jamie Duffy, David Cassidy, Paul Shiels (Paul Marney 70), Davie O’Connor (Paul Smyth 78); Robbie Farrell (Trevor Vaughan 62), Robbie Martin.
Subs Not Used: Tiarnàn Mulvenna, Paul Crowley.

Booked: Cassidy (16), Shiels (32), Flanagan (66).

Monaghan United (4-4-2): Brendan Kennedy; Paul Whelan, Aaron Mooney, Ian Malone, Kevin Williamson; Darren Meenan, Dom Tierney, Ian Maher (Stephen McCrossan 68), James Hand (Wayne Byrne 46); Robbie Collins, Philip Sheppard (Eoin Lanigan 62).
Subs Not Used: Danny Woods (GK), Brian Gartland.

Booked: Tierney (23), Maher (27), Malone (39), Williamson (89), Whelan (91).
 

Referee: Mark Gough (Limerick).
Attendance: 1,200 (estimate).
Extratime Man of the Match: Robbie Martin (Dundalk).