League Report: Dundalk 2 - 1 UCD

Niall Newberry reporting from Oriel Park

View photo gallery of the match by Paul Dolan

Vinny Perth tasted victory in the SSE Airtricity League for the first time on Monday night after his Dundalk side came from behind to record a 2-1 win over newly-promoted UCD at Oriel Park.

Neil Farrugia had given the Students a shock lead just before the half-hour mark but a second half penalty from Patrick Hoban coupled with a Michael Duffy goal ensured the three points for Dundalk.

After two false starts in their first two matches, Dundalk made three changes from last Friday’s draw at Finn Harps with Daniel Cleary, Jordan Flores and Daniel Kelly all coming into the starting line-up.

UCD had suffered defeat in both of their fixtures coming into this match and they made one change from their defeat against Bohemians with Paul Doyle replacing the injured Kevin Coffey in midfield.

Dundalk could have taken the lead as early as the third minute of this encounter when last season’s top scorer Hoban chested down well before unleashing a shot that was straight at Conor Kearns.

Two of Dundalk’s new signings combined moments later when Flores sent a cross from the left that was met by an inrushing Daniel Kelly, whose snapshot bobbled into the arms of the UCD goalkeeper.

The Students then had their first opportunity of the night when Farrugia’s incisive pass put Jason McClelland through on goal but veteran Dundalk goalkeeper Gary Rogers was equal to it, saving well.

Dundalk were having the better of the chances and Daniel Kelly was looking lively on the right-flank, forcing Kearns into a save minutes before Sean Murray’s volley was deflected into his grateful arms.

For the fourth match in a row, Dundalk went behind against ‘so-called’ inferior opposition when Farrugia finished expertly past Rogers after being played through by Conor Davis on 29 minutes.

The Lilywhites anxiously looked to hit back immediately and Daniel Kelly curled a decent effort over the bar before Murray unleashed another shot from outside the area which also flew over the top.

Oriel was becoming increasingly subdued at this point as UCD came close to a shock second with Farrugia – a constant thorn in Dundalk’s side – forcing Rogers to save again, this time with his feet.

Collie O’Neill’s side again went close in first half stoppage-time through Davis, who flashed a shot wide before Daniel Kelly’s tame effort was hit straight at Kearns immediately at the other end.

Eight minutes into the second half, Perth’s side were handed a lifeline by referee Tomas Connolly, who pointed to the penalty spot after Josh Collins was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box.

Up stepped Hoban – yet to score this season – to take the spot-kick and he sent Kearns the wrong way after a stuttering run-up as Dundalk drew level with the home crowd starting to believe again.

Dundalk, unrecognisable in the first period, were starting to look more like their old selves and Murray’s volley was saved by Kearns before the former Watford man fired over from the rebound.

The hosts, rather fortuitously, took the lead inside the hour mark when Duffy cut inside the left before unleashing a low shot that went beyond Kearns, who really ought to have done better.

Shortly after UCD substitute Yousef Mahdy was denied by another Rogers block, the hosts came close to sealing the win when Hoban cracked an effort off the crossbar following a cross from Duffy.

Dundalk then had further chances through Jamie McGrath and Daniel Kelly before Dane Massey’s header produced an outstanding save out of Kearns after a cross from substitute John Mountney.

Perth’s side, unlike in their previous two fixtures, were not left to rue missed opportunities as they recorded a priceless win ahead of what is a mouth-watering clash with Shamrock Rovers on Friday.

Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon, Daniel Cleary, Sean Hoare, Dane Massey; Chris Shields, Jordan Flores (Jamie McGrath 37); Daniel Kelly (Cameron Dummigan 87), Sean Murray (John Mountney 61), Michael Duffy; Patrick Hoban.

Subs not used: Aaron McCarey, Brian Gartland, Joe McKee, Georgie Kelly.

Booked: Chris Shields (26), Patrick Hoban (65).

UCD: Conor Kearns; Dan Tobin, Josh Collins, Liam Scales, Mark Dignam; Paul Doyle, Gary O’Neill; Jason McClelland (Sean McDonald 88), Timmy Molloy (Richie O’Farrell 83), Neil Farrugia; Conor Davis (Yousef Mahdy 73).

Subs not used: Gavin Sheridan, Darragh Corcoran, Evan Farrell, Conor Crowley.

Booked: Liam Scales (52), Dan Tobin (77).

Referee: Tomas Connolly.

Attendance: 2,437.

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Chris Shields (Dundalk).