Undefeated Dundalk FC return to winning ways with victory over Longford

Undefeated Dundalk FC returned to winning ways in the SSE Airtricity League First Division in emphatic fashion, dispatching Longford Town with a commanding 3-0 victory.

A second-half brace from Dean Ebbe, coupled with Andy Paraschiv’s first goal for the club, ensured The Lilywhites preserved their three-point cushion over Bray Wanderers at the summit of the table.

Dundalk made two alterations to the side that had drawn 1-1 with Finn Harps the previous Monday at Oriel Park, with Conor O’Keeffe and Eoin Kenny drafted into the starting XI in place of Andy Paraschiv and Keith Ward.

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The Lilywhites’ bench, however, was severely depleted due to an U20 fixture against Shelbourne earlier in the day, also held at Oriel.

Despite Dundalk having the better of the opening 45 minutes at Bishopsgate, it was Longford who fashioned the first clear opportunity. A misplaced back-pass from O’Keeffe was seized upon by Francis Campbell, whose effort drew a smart save from Peter Cherrie.

The visitors carved out their first real chance after 20 minutes when Harry Groome’s cross from the left was recycled into the box by Leo Gaxha, only for Kenny to lift his shot over the bar from six yards.

Moments later, Gaxha eluded Mohamed Boudiaf and unleashed a fierce angled drive, but Longford goalkeeper Harry Halwax was equal to it.

Longford’s next significant opportunity fell to Aaron Doran, but his curling free-kick never troubled Cherrie, who watched it sail harmlessly wide.

At the other end, Sean Keogh’s speculative strike from distance cleared the crossbar by some margin.

Dundalk came close again when a miscued clearance from Longford captain Dean O’Shea fell kindly to Gaxha, whose deflected shot was well saved by Halwax.

As the half drew to a close, Keogh’s inviting cross was met by the head of Ebbe, only for Halwax to save comfortably, while Kenny squandered another chance moments later, firing well over the target.

Dundalk burst into life at the start of the second half, fashioning two quickfire chances within a minute through Ebbe and Gaxha, before Keogh’s teasing free-kick into the area was nodded over by Kenny.

The breakthrough arrived in the 54th minute. Daryl Horgan’s corner was kept alive at the back post by Vinnie Leonard, and Ebbe was on hand to steer a deft header into the net, handing Dundalk a deserved lead.

The advantage was doubled just eight minutes later. Substitute Paraschiv threaded a precise ball through to Ebbe, who kept his composure to slot a low finish beyond the reach of Longford goalkeeper Halwax.

Ciaran Kilduff’s side continued to press for a third, with Kenny’s audacious overhead kick comfortably saved by Halwax, and Gaxha’s low drive similarly smothered by the busy Longford shot-stopper.

A surging run down the right from Keith Ward nearly saw Paraschiv score his first League of Ireland goal, but the 18-year-old would not be denied for long.

In the 87th minute, after Ward’s cross was only partially cleared, Paraschiv reacted quickest, drilling the ball through a crowded penalty area to complete a resounding victory for The Lilywhites.

Longford Town: Harry Halwax; Osaze Irhue, Aaron Walsh, Dean O’Shea; Eric Yoro; Luke Wade-Slater, Aaron Doran (Pharrell Manuel 84), Emre Topcu, Mohamed Boudiaf (Josh Giurgi 63); Darragh Murtagh (Dean George 84), Francis Campbell (Emmanuel James 63)

Subs not used: Jack McCarthy (gk), Oisin Hand, Emmanuel Milongo, Jacob Flood-Norton, Andrew Spain,

Dundalk FC: Peter Cherrie; Conor O’Keeffe, Mayowa Animasahun, Vinnie Leonard, Sean Keogh (Sean McHale 89); Aodh Dervin (Andy Paraschiv HT), Harry Groome; Leo Gaxha, Eoin Kenny (Keith Ward 69), Daryl Horgan (Shane Tracey 89); Dean Ebbe (Gbemi Arubi 86)

Subs not used: Samuel Safaei (gk), Luke Mulligan

Referee: Mark Houlihan (Dublin)