League Report: Dundalk 2 - 0 Finn Harps
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Dundalk moved one step closer to a third consecutive SSE Airtricity League Premier Division title as they went ten points clear at the summit following a comfortable 2-0 win over struggling Finn Harps at Oriel Park on Monday night.
Goals from the dynamic Patrick McEleney and Daryl Horgan set The Lilywhites on their way and they now fly to the Netherlands to face AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League on Thursday in what is a demanding schedule for Stephen Kenny’s side between now and the end of October.
Kenny made a total of eight changes from the side that knocked UCD out of the FAI Cup on Friday night, bringing McEleney, Andy Boyle, Sean Gannon, David McMillan and John Mountney back into the starting eleven for the visit of Finn Harps.
Harps made the trip to Oriel Park for their first fulfilled fixture, which was only confirmed on Friday evening, in over two weeks but were down to the bare bones and without the midfield quartet of Ethan Boyle, Adam Hanlon, Sean Houston and Barry Molloy, with Ollie Horgan naming just five substitutes.
The signs were fairly ominous for the visitors right from the off with the first big chance of the night coming after three minutes when Harps defender Ciaran Coll almost deflected Mountney’s cross into his own net with Ciaran Gallagher, who was impressive throughout, needing to make a fine stop to tip the ball over for a corner.
It didn’t take the hosts long to make the breakthrough however, and they were ahead just three minutes later when McEleney eased his way through the Harps rear-guard and unleashed a low shot from 20 yards into the bottom left hand corner past the helpless Gallagher.
McMillan, via the industrious Chris Shields, set up Mountney for another chance on goal but Gallagher was again on hand to divert the Mayo man’s effort wide.
Dundalk relentlessly passed their opponents into submission throughout the first half with Harps, content to soak up pressure and take the sting out the game, struggling to get the ball out of their own half.
Paddy Barrett went agonisingly close to doubling the Lilywhites’ advantage two minutes before the break when he headed off the crossbar from a McEleney free-kick.
The home side continued to keep possession for long spells after the restart but were lethargic at times while Harps defended admirably to frustrate the title favourites. Though their only attempt in the entire match saw Keith Cowan’s header easily saved by Gary Rogers.
Ollie Horgan’s outfit haven’t tasted victory or indeed scored a goal since July, losing six on the bounce, so he’s bound to be feeling some degree of pressure and it showed when he was sent to the stands with just over 20 minutes remaining. The Finn Harps boss was incensed at referee Neil Doyle’s decision to book Gallagher for what he perceived as time-wasting.
Gallagher had a very busy night at the office and was forced into another good save to deny McEleney shortly afterwards but it was another Horgan – Daryl – who grabbed the headlines on 75 minutes. He smashed the ball home from close range after receiving a decent pass from substitute Ronan Finn to seal the victory as Dundalk moved another step closer to the championship.
Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon, Andy Boyle, Paddy Barrett, Dane Massey; Chris Shields, Robbie Benson; John Mountney (Ronan Finn 68), Patrick McEleney (Dean Shiels 77), Daryl Horgan; David McMillan (Ciaran Kilduff 81).
Subs not used: Gabriel Sava, Brian Gartland, Shane Grimes, Stephen O’Donnell.
Yellow Cards: None.
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Josh Mailey, Packie Mailey, Keith Cowan, Tommy McMonagle; Michael Funston (BJ Banda 85), Gareth Harkin, Ryan Curran, Ciaran Coll; Tony McNamee (Mark Coyle 76); Ruari Keating (David Scully 52).
Subs not used: Richard Brush, Kevin McHugh.
Yellow Cards: Cowan (58), Gallagher (68), Scully (80), Coyle (84), J. Mailey (86).
Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).
Attendance: 2,053.
ExtraTime.ie Man of the Match: Patrick McEleney (Dundalk).
