Horgan's penalty earns Dundalk FC three points against Sligo

Dundalk FC managed back-to-back victories in the SSE Airtricity League for the first time since October 2023, thanks to a late penalty from captain Daryl Horgan, which saw the Lilywhites grind out a one goal victory over Sligo Rovers in Oriel Park.

In truth, this was a game where the home side were far from their best, a stark contrast to the performance which saw them put Waterford United to the sword on Friday night last.

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Sligo Rovers deserve huge credit for that, as they physically imposed themselves on Dundalk, with Johnny Russell’s side first to a lot of the second balls which were fought for in the middle area, with Seb Quirk, James McManus and former Dundalk man Carl McHugh excelling here.

The first half was overshadowed by an injury to Sligo’s Ryan O’Kane in first-half stoppage time. The former Dundalk winger was stretchered off after that awkward fall in the Dundalk penalty area.

O’Kane’s injury led to a nine-minute delay in that half. It means that for the second game running at Oriel Park, a player has been stretchered off the field of play, after Dundalk keeper Conor Kearns suffered the same fate in that win over Waterford.

That opening half saw both sides struggle to create any significant opportunities of note, with neither Dundalk goalkeeper Enda Minogue nor Sligo’s custodian Sam Seargenat forced to make any major saves of note.

Early on, Sligo’s James McManus dragged an effort wide from just outside the box after O’Kane’s first shot was blocked.

Daryl Horgan’s side-footed effort from 18 yards flew over the bar.

Dundalk looked dangerous when Horgan and Eoin Kenny linked up, and the latter fed Horgan, who cut inside from the left, before seeing his shot deflect behind.

Eoin Kenny then had the next two strikes at goal, both of which were comfortably saved by Sam Sargent, with the latter effort coming about following a fine turn to get away from his marker.

At the other end, Sligo’s Will Fitzgerald had a shot from distance which was comfortably held onto by Dundalk keeper Enda Minouge, who was preferred between the posts to 42-year-old Peter Cherrie, who replaced Kearns in that win over Waterford.

Dundalk went close on 39 minutes, when a JR Wilson was denied by a heroic last-ditch block by Sligo’s Seb Quirk.

After the restart, Sligo came close to taking the lead, on 49 minutes, when sub Archie Meekison, who replaced the injured O’Kane, smashed the crossbar after Dundalk failed to clear another dangerous Will Fitzgerald set piece delivery.

They came close again when Gareth McElroy’s header from another corner was brilliantly kept out by Dundalk keeper Enda Minogue, with the visitors growing in confidence.

Following this, the game then became scrappy, with both sides lacking quality in the final third.

But, eight minutes from time, Dundalk were awarded a penalty when Eoin Kenny latched onto a Daryl Horgan through ball, before being dragged down by Will Fitzgerald.

Horgan stepped up to send Sargeant the wrong way as he slotted home his second goal of the season for a relieved Dundalk.

The Lillywhites then had to see out the game with 10 men, after Aodh Dervin was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Will Fitzgerald.

Seb Querk fired an effort narrowly wide from range, while Jeannot Eusa struck two shots off target, with Sligo unable to find an equaliser, as Dundalk held out to move themselves fourth in the table with ten points after 7 games played.

Dundalk: Enda Minogue; JR Wilson, Mayowa Animasahun, Conor O’Keefe, Bobby Burns; Tyreke Wilson (Danny Mullen 51), Aodh Dervin, Declan McDaid (Keith Buckley 51), Daryl Horgan, Eoin Kenny, Gbemi Arubi (Harry Groome 64) (Harvey Warren 86).

Subs: Peter Cherrie (GK), Ronan Teahan, Shane Treacy, Sean Spaight, TJ Molloy-Murray.

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargent; Jeannot Esua, Gareth McElroy, Oliver Denham, Carl McHugh (Ciaron Harkin 62), Will Fitzgerald, Seb Quirk, James McManus, Alex Nolan (Guilherme Rego Priosti 83), Ryan O’Kane (Archie Meekison 45+6), Cian Kavanagh (Maoi Traore HT).

Subs: Liam Hughes (GK), Sean McHale, Kyle McDonagh, Aidan Gabbidon, Conor Cannon.

Referee: Oliver Moran.