Dundalk record a commanding win over Wexford

Dundalk FC have opened up a five point gap at the top of the SSE Airtricity League First Division table after recording a commanding 3-0 win over Wexford at Oriel Park.

A second-half brace from Leo Gaxha, coupled with a Sean Keogh strike, puts The Lilywhites in a strong position after second-placed Cobh Ramblers fell to a 2-1 defeat to Bray Wanderers.

Dundalk carved out the game’s first opening within five minutes, as Daryl Horgan effortlessly evaded Calum Flynn and Darragh Dunne before delivering a precise square ball to Harry Groome, who, unfortunately for the hosts, turned his effort over the bar.

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Horgan found himself at the heart of the action once more, volleying over after a Gaxha cross was inadvertently flicked on by former Dundalk man Robbie McCourt.

A throw-in from Horgan was helped on by Dean Ebbe into the path of Andy Paraschiv, whose dipping volley was met with a save from Wexford goalkeeper Paul Martin.

The shot-stopper—whose twin brother John once donned the Dundalk jersey—stood firm again to deny Eoin Kenny, who had latched onto an incisive pass from Groome.

A half-volley from Aodh Dervin sailed wide, while Wexford’s only real first-half effort came from Mikie Rowe, whose ambitious hooked attempt was wildly off target.

Gaxha’s low cross was met by Ebbe, whose delicate touch forced yet another save from the ever-busy Martin, while moments later, a driven pass across the face of goal from Wexford defender Dean Larkin nearly provided Horgan with the breakthrough just before the interval, but once again, Martin reacted swiftly to keep the scoreline level.

As in the first half, Dundalk began the second period with intent, with Kenny threading a well-weighted pass right into the path of Gaxha, only for Martin to clear the danger.

A moment of quick thinking from Keogh—assisted by manager Ciaran Kilduff—led to Horgan delivering a teasing ball into the box, but Gaxha turned over from close range.

Dundalk’s persistence continued, as Horgan whipped in a pinpoint cross that was met by Kenny, whose header sailed over the bar. Kenny, who had spent time on loan at Wexford during the 2023 season, would have relished a goal against his former side.

Meanwhile, at the other end, Wexford registered their only shot on target of the evening—a free-kick from Kaylem Harnett, which Peter Cherrie comfortably gathered.

Sensing an opportunity to press home their dominance, The Lilywhites increased the pressure, with Gaxha’s driven shot forcing Martin into an awkward spill, but the goalkeeper reacted swiftly to smother the ball at the second attempt.

Moments later, Martin produced a remarkable double save to deny Horgan twice in quick succession, but his resistance, and that of Wexford, was finally broken in the 66th minute—just a matter of seconds after Horgan had a goal disallowed for offside.

The breakthrough arrived when Gaxha, teed up by Horgan, was granted the space to drive forward before clinically dispatching a low strike into the bottom right corner.

With Wexford reeling, Dundalk doubled their advantage just three minutes later when Sean McHale launched a long ball forward, finding Keogh, who brilliantly nutmegged right-back Darragh Dunne before rifling an unstoppable finish into the roof of the net.

Dundalk continued to carve out chances, with Martin once again coming to Wexford’s rescue by producing a superb save to thwart Horgan. However, the inevitable third goal arrived in the 78th minute, as Horgan turned provider once more, squaring the ball for Gaxha to apply the simplest of finishes.

The Lilywhites could have further embellished the scoreline before the final whistle through their substitutes, with Gbemi Arubi curling an effort just over the bar, while Muhammad Haris saw his attempt well saved by the ever-busy Martin before Keith Ward’s effort right at the death.

Dundalk FC: Peter Cherrie; Aodh Dervin, Vinnie Leonard, Sean McHale, Sean Keogh; Andy Paraschiv (Shane Tracey 77), Harry Groome; Leo Gaxha (Muhammad Haris 87), Eoin Kenny (Keith Ward 68), Daryl Horgan; Dean Ebbe (Gbemi Arubi 77)

Subs not used: Samuel Safaei (gk), Mayowa Animasahun, Luke Mulligan, Sean Spaight, TJ Molloy

Wexford: Paul Martin; Darragh Dunne (Mark Imiren 70), Josh Lyons, Dean Larkin, Robbie McCourt, James Crawford; Zayd Abada; Calum Flynn, Kaylem Harnett, Ryan Kelly (Conor Levingston 63); Mikie Rowe

Subs not used: Alex Moody (gk), Henry Cromack, Filip Wasilewski, Oscar Ramsey, Ryan Butler, Ryan Scanlon

Referee: Declan Toland (Roscommon)

Attendance: 1,926