League Report: Dundalk 2 - 1 Galway United

A second half brace from striker David McMilian sealed the deal for Dundalk over Galway United in front of their home fans and the television cameras.

The early passages of play favoured the champions, who managed to ping the ball about, albeit in their on half.

Galway did have two chances in the half, both possibly attributable to the waning sun on the western horizon.

Early on Marc Ludden’s long throw nearly bounced into the path of Gary Shanahan before the centre back realised his threat. Possibly aided by the crowd’s ‘ohs’ and ‘ahs’ which were pure pantomime: ‘he’s behind you’

In the 23^rd minute, the sun again seemed to be the counterfoil to the Dundalk defence. Enda Curran managed to get a touch on a long cross-field ball which he bundled round Gartland. His clumsy shot was low and had little behind it. Gary Rogers gathered comfortably.

At the other end, Daryl Horgan and Robbie Benson were testing the alertness of the Tribesmen’s back four.

Horgan looked dangerous with the ball at feet and Benson did well to strike a dipping John Mountney corner. It rose up and over the bodies in the box but didn’t dip in time to cause any problems for Conor Winn.

Benson was closer after the half hour, he attempted to head home a Horgan cross and this time only Winn’s outstretched arms prevented a home goal.

John Mountney managed a shot from just inside the box and it had real venom in it. It flashed over the bar (and presumably into orbit).

That was the last real chance of the half which was characterised by Dundalk possession more so than goalscoring chances. Hardly a game to have the television viewers at home on the edge of their couches.

The second half saw the home side come out with a renewed vigour and they upped the tempo in search of an opener. Gannon and Horgan went close as the Galway goal led a charmed life.

And just when Galway might be forgiven for thinking a point was on the table, a brace in the space of eight minutes sealed the win for the Lilywhites.

With 20 minutes remaining, Benson fired a pinpoint pass into McMilian’s path who made no

mistake from a yard out. The Lilywhite’s wind was up after that and some superb passages of play ensued after the restart.

The applause from Dundalk fans was still ringing in the air to show appreciation for some fancy footwork, when Horgan raced onto a through ball. He was beaten by the alert Winn who headed it over Horgan and into the middle of the park. It was a case of ‘out of the fire and into the pan’ as it fell to David McMillian who lobbed the ‘keeper from distance.

Eric Foley scored a late goal deep in injury time to cause a jittery finish but it proved to be little more than a consolation goal. Dundalk perch on top of the table, five ahead of Derry City and eight ahead of Cork City as Stephen Kenny’s machine rolls on.

They sit top by five points after the first series of games.

Dundalk FC: Gary Rogers, Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey, Chris Shields, Ronan Finn (Paddy Barrett 87), Robbie Benson (Georgie Poynton 90), Daryl Horgan, John Mountney, David McMilian (Darren Meenan 85).

Subs not used: Gabriel Sava, Shane Grimes, Anton Reilly, Keith Dalton.

Booked: None.

Galway Utd: Conor Winn, Colm Horgan, Killiann Cantwell, Paul Sinnott, Stephen Walsh, Marc Luden, John Sullivan, Alex Byrne, Gary Shanahan (Kevin Devaney 78), Vinny Faherty, Enda Curran (Ruairi Keating 70).

Subs not used: Conor Melody, Armin Aganovic, Eric Foley, Jesse Devers, Kevin Horgan.

Booked: Gary Shanahan (58).

Referee: Darren Carey.

Attendance: 2,170.

ExtraTime.ie Man of the Match: David McMillan (Dundalk).