Dundalk return to winning ways with win over Cobh

Dundalk FC re-established their four-point cushion at the top of the SSE Airtricity League First Division following a narrow yet vital 1-0 triumph over second-placed Cobh Ramblers, a result that restored momentum after their first loss of the season just days earlier at Finn Harps.

With the pressure on to respond, The Lilywhites delivered — and it was the returning Gbemi Arubi who provided the decisive moment.

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Thirteen minutes in, Luke Mulligan floated a ball into the Cobh penalty area that Jonas Hakkinen failed to deal with. Eoin Kenny was quickest to react, deftly setting up Arubi, whose acrobatic finish lit up Oriel Park and sent Dundalk into an early lead.

Ciaran Kilduff’s men seized control thereafter, dictating the tempo and seeking a second. Mulligan came close with a driven attempt, while Sean Keogh’s teasing free-kick was salvaged at the far post by Vinnie Leonard, moments before Arubi again tested Cobh’s alert goalkeeper Timothy Martin.

Dundalk’s attack continued to flow. Mulligan left Luka Le Bervet behind before blazing off target, and Kenny’s low drive skidded just past the far post.

Daryl Horgan then dazzled, twisting Hakkinen inside out before delivering a tantalising ball across the face of goal that begged for a finish from Dean Ebbe.

In a moment of vision, Horgan attempted to lob Martin from distance after spotting him off his line, though the shot lacked menace.

Arubi continued to torment the Cobh defence, eluding Cian Coleman before unleashing a dipping strike that was well held by Martin.

On the brink of the interval, Keogh’s swerving effort whistled narrowly over the bar, as Dundalk threatened to double their lead.

Cobh finally registered their first effort three minutes after the restart — Barry Coffey cutting in from the left to draw a smart save from Enda Minogue.

At the opposite end, Horgan danced past Hakkinen and crossed for Ebbe, who lost his footing at the vital moment with the goal beckoning.

Minogue, largely untroubled in the first half, was called into action again, using his feet to deny Cian Murphy after a precise through-ball from Coffey.

Dundalk nearly extended their lead when Keogh slid a clever ball into Kenny, whose shot was blocked by the recovering Coleman.

The game had by now developed into an absorbing end-to-end contest. Minogue tipped over a drive from Hakkinen, before Coffey headed marginally wide from Le Bervet’s cross.

Kenny forced Martin into another strong stop, and Arubi continued to shine — gliding past both Niall O’Keeffe and Cobh skipper Shane Griffin before sending his shot just wide of the upright.

Substitute Andy Paraschiv sought to make an impact late on, volleying just over before seeing another effort saved after getting away from Jason Abbott.

Kenny again threatened with five minutes to go, his sharp turn and shot drawing yet another intervention from Martin.

Cobh’s hopes of a comeback were ultimately dashed when Coleman, already booked, received a second yellow for a rash challenge on Aodh Dervin.

Horgan might have sealed it in stoppage time, only to be denied once more by the ever-busy Martin. But the final whistle brought relief and celebration, as Dundalk held firm to secure a crucial victory — one that restores their lead and reaffirms their charge toward automatic promotion.

Dundalk FC: Enda Minogue; Luke Mulligan (Sean McHale 71), Mayowa Animasahun, Vinnie Leonard, Sean Keogh; Aodh Dervin, Keith Ward (Andy Paraschiv 59); Eoin Kenny, Dean Ebbe (Harry Groome 59), Daryl Horgan; Gbemi Arubi

Subs not used: Peter Cherrie (gk), Sean Spaight, TJ Molloy, Shane Tracey

Cobh Ramblers: Timothy Martin; Jonas Hakkinen, Cian Coleman, Shane Griffin, Luka Le Bervet (John O’Donovan 86); Niall O’Keeffe (Jason Abbott 71), Shane Griffin; Dale Holland (Sam Bellis 65), Barry Coffey, Matthew Whelan; Cian Murphy (Brendean Frahill 86)

Subs not used: Kian Lane (gk), Nolan Evers, Lucas Curtin, Mikey Carroll, Evan Deasy

Referee: Oliver Moran (Dublin)

Attendance: 1,487