Dundalk maintain their advantage at the top of the First Division with an easy victory over Kerry

Dundalk FC maintained their advantage at the top of the SSE Airtricity League First Division campaign with an easy 4-0 victory over Kerry in Tralee, extending their lead at the summit to four points and reinforcing their bid for automatic promotion.

The Lilywhites struck in each half through Harry Groome—registering his third goal in five games—and Eoin Kenny, whose composed finish sealed the result on the hour mark, with Keith Ward’s late free-kick and Andy Paraschiv’s stoppage-time strike adding further gloss.

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It was Dundalk who carved out the game’s first real opening inside four minutes. A sharp exchange between Gbemi Arubi and Daryl Horgan culminated in a speculative strike from the latter, which whistled just wide of the target.

Kerry responded swiftly. Sean O’Connell’s early effort was blocked, while Sean McGrath’s low drive was comfortably gathered by Dundalk goalkeeper Enda Minogue.

As the visitors began to assert themselves, Arubi released Kenny with a deft pass, but the winger’s angled effort was easily dealt with by Kerry’s Tim-Oliver Hiemer.

Dundalk broke the deadlock on 20 minutes following a costly error from Alex Dunne. The Kerry defender lost possession in a precarious area, allowing Groome to seize the moment. With poise, he unleashed a dipping strike from distance that nestled just beneath the crossbar, despite efforts of Hiemer.

The visitors pressed for a second, with Kenny’s teasing delivery flashing across the face of goal—begging for a final touch from the arriving Horgan.

Another close call followed when Dean Ebbe met another of Kenny’s crosses at the far post, only to be denied by a goal-line clearance from Niall Brookwell.

Despite Dundalk’s dominance, Kerry ended the first half on the front foot. A looping cross from Dunne found Kennedy Amechi—an eleventh-hour inclusion for the injured Daniel Okwute—who executed an overhead kick that was calmly gathered by Minogue.

Moments later, Oran Crowe let fly from range, though his effort veered well wide.

Dundalk doubled their advantage just past the hour. A misjudged defensive header from Kevin Williams fell kindly for Ebbe, who calmly fed Kenny. The winger took full advantage, drilling a low strike through Hiemer to put the result beyond doubt.

Kerry attempted to rally, with Chris McQueen heading over from a Crowe corner, but the hosts rarely threatened a comeback.

Dundalk might have added a third late on, as manager Ciaran Kilduff turned to his bench. Two substitutes combined when Declan McDaid, on his debut, whipped in a cross from the right, but Paraschiv steered his effort narrowly wide.

Ward then floated a free-kick home on 93 minutes, before Paraschiv added a fourth for The Lilywhites on 94 minutes.

It was a professional, disciplined performance from the league leaders—efficient in possession, clinical in front of goal, and unyielding at the back.

Kerry: Tim-Oliver Hiemer; Alex Dunne (Finn Barrett 76), Chris McQueen, Niall Brookwell, Kevin Williams, Sean O'Connell; Oran Crowe, Carl Mujaguzi (Arran Healy HT); Sean McGrath; Kennedy Amechi, Luke Palmer

Subs not used: Mathyas Randriamamy (gk), Ronan Teahan, Joe Adams, Cian Brosnan, Samuel Aladesanusi, Abel Alabi

Dundalk FC: Enda Minogue; John Ross Wilson (Luke Mulligan 82), Mayowa Animasahun, Vinnie Leonard, Sean Keogh (Sean McHale 69); Aodh Dervin, Harry Groome (Andy Paraschiv 69); Eoin Kenny, Dean Ebbe, Daryl Horgan (Declan McDaid 61); Gbemi Arubi (Keith Ward 69)

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

Referee: Lucas Keating (Cork)

Attendance: 960