- Stuart Connolly
- Sat, May 14 2016
Dundalk breezed past a woeful Finn Harps side in what must have seemed like a training exercise for the Champions, who ran out 7-0 winners. Making it Finn Harps worst home league defeat in their history. The win keeps Dundalk 4 points clear of Cork.
Stephen Kenny’s side lined up with the same side that edged past Bray on Tuesday with the exception of Michael O'Connor taking Keith Dalton's spot on the bench. The Home side welcomed back Gareth Harkin into the starting line-up after he missed the midweek draw against Derry, and he replaced Tony McNamee who had to settle for a spot on the bench.
Dundalk got off to a bright start, and took the lead on five minutes after a great cross from Sean Gannon was met by Robbie Benson who headed home to put the away side in the lead.
Dundalk continued to dominate proceedings, creating a few chances, but nothing to test Gallagher in the home goal.
Finn Harps started to come into the game with twenty minutes gone, putting Gary Rogers under some pressure.
On twenty minutes the away side doubled their lead with Benson getting his second of the match. A great cross in from Daryl Horgan was well chested down by David McMillan and Benson thundered his shot into the top corner.
Finn Harps best chance of the first half fell to Sean Houston who was racing on to a through ball but Andy Boyle managed to clear the ball.
Just shy of the half hour mark Finn Harps frustration started to show as Dave Scully went into the referee's book.
Ten minutes shy of half time, Daryl Horgan put Dundalk 3-0 up with a goal out of nothing with his spectacular effort from 25 yards.
Just as the half was about to end, Dundalk well and truly put the game to bed, a great low cross in from Horgan was turned towards goal by McMillan but defelcted in to his own goal by Ciaran Coll.
As the second half got under way, Ollie Horgan made a defensive change in a bid for damage limitation, replacing Dave Scully with Ethan Boyle.
Dundalk thought they had a penalty ten minutes into the second half but the referee booked Benson for diving.
Just five minutes later and it was 5-0 courtesy of a long range effort from David McMillan in what would be his last contribution to the match, getting replaced a minute later by Paddy Barrett.
Dundalk continued to create chances throughout the second half and Manager Stephen Kenny brought on Darren Meenan to add to his side goal difference. Ollie Horgan replied by bringing on Kevin McHugh in place of Barry Molloy. McHugh was booked six minutes after coming on.
Shortly after those substitutions, Dundalk went 6-0 up thanks to a lofted header by Andy Boyle.
Both Managers made changes late in the second half, with George Poyton coming on for Dundalk and Flatley joining the action for Finn Harps.
Paddy Barrett put the icing on the cake for Dundalk with the side's seventh goal coming on the 90th minute from another long range shot to end the match 7-0.
It could have been much worse for Finn Harps but it should have been better.
This result is Finn Harps worst home league defeat in the clubs history, the previous record being a 7-1 defeat at the hands of Drogheda United in 1977.
Dundalk Manager Stephen Kenny said of Finn Harps, that today was just one of those days, their very own goal of the month competition. And that Finn Harps would not suffer one of these defeats again this season.
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Damien McNulty, Ciaran Coll, Keith Cowan, Packie Mailey; Gareth Harkin, Sean Houston, Adam Hanlon, Barry Molloy (Kevin McHugh 64); Dave Scully (Ethan Boyle 46), Ryan Curran (Liam Flatley 75)
Subs not used: Richard Brush, Tommy McMonagle, Tony McNamee, Michael Funston.
Booked: Dave Scully (29) Kevin McHugh (70)
Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey; Daryl Horgan, John Mountney, Robbie Benson, Chris Shields (George Poynton 73), Ronan Finn (Darren Meenan 64) ; David McMillan (Paddy Parrett 58).
Subs not used: Gabriel Sava, Anton Reilly, Shane Grimes, Michael O Connor.
Booked: Robbie Benson (54)
Referee: Tomas Connolly
Attendance: 1,320
ExtraTime.ie Man of the Match: Daryl Horgan (Dundalk)
