Dundalk fall to FAI Cup defeat

For the second consecutive year, Dundalk FC saw their Sports Direct FAI Cup journey come to an abrupt halt at the very first hurdle.

A 2-0 home defeat to Sligo Rovers—delivered by a quickfire second-half double from James McManus and Jake Doyle-Hayes—brought a premature end to their campaign and marked their first FAI Cup loss at Oriel Park since 2014.

The visitors struck decisively just after the interval, ensuring progression to the next round for the Premier Division side and condemning Dundalk to further cup frustration.

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Sligo signalled their intent early, carving out the game’s first chance within two minutes. A searching ball from Will Fitzgerald released former Dundalk player Jad Hakiki, who muscled ahead of Vinnie Leonard only to be denied by the imposing figure of Enda Minogue in goal.

Thereafter, Dundalk grew into the game. Despite several probing attacks, their first clear-cut opportunity didn’t arrive until the 25th minute.

Harry Groome, operating in an unusual number 10 role, found himself in space and fired from distance, drawing a smart low save from Sligo keeper Sam Sargeant.

Moments later, Groome saw a penalty appeal waved away before having another shot deflected wide by McManus.

Their best chance of the half came in stoppage time. Declan McDaid escaped the attentions of Fitzgerald and released Shane Tracey, whose clever pass picked out John Ross Wilson.

His low ball found Groome with the goal gaping, but the midfielder squandered the opportunity, dragging his effort wide to the disbelief of the home support.

Dundalk were punished almost immediately after the restart. On 51 minutes, a Sligo corner was partially cleared by captain Daryl Horgan, but only as far as McManus, who met it first-time with a thunderous volley that flew into the top corner.

Three minutes later, Sligo doubled their lead. Fitzgerald danced away from McDaid and delivered an inviting cross. Doyle-Hayes rose with his back to goal and somehow managed to guide his header beyond Minogue to effectively seal the tie.

Dundalk attempted to muster a response. Tracey’s cross presented Gbemi Arubi with a chance from close range, but Sargeant was again equal to the task.

Substitute Andy Paraschiv, introduced on the hour, almost provided a spark, his swerving effort from range narrowly clearing the bar.

Hakiki then gifted Dean Ebbe a golden opportunity with an errant pass, but the striker, after rounding the keeper, failed to apply a telling finish—his tame shot blocked by Ollie Denham.

Soon after, Paraschiv laid it off cleverly for Horgan, whose fierce drive was met by a superb reaction save from Sargeant to preserve Sligo’s clean sheet.

The game fizzled out in its dying minutes, with Aodh Dervin sending a speculative effort high and wide, and Horgan’s free-kick skimming the side-netting.

For Dundalk, it was another bitter FAI Cup disappointment. Having now failed to defeat Premier Division opposition in any of their last 11 attempts as a First Division side, The Lilywhites must now refocus their efforts on the league, where the prize of promotion back to the top flight remains firmly within their grasp.

Dundalk FC: Enda Minogue; John Ross Wilson, Vinnie Leonard, Sean McHale (Conor O’Keeffe 23), Sean Keogh (Sean Spaight 72); Aodh Dervin, Shane Tracey (Andy Paraschiv 60); Declan McDaid (Eoin Kenny 60), Harry Groome, Daryl Horgan; Gbemi Arubi (Dean Ebbe 60)

Subs not used: Peter Cherrie (gk), Luke Mulligan, Keith Ward, TJ Molloy

Sligo Rovers: Sam Sargeant; Conor Reynolds, Ollie Denham, Patrick McClean, Will Fitzgerald; Jake Doyle-Hayes (Daire Patton 66), James McManus; Owen Elding, Jad Hakiki, Ryan O’Kane (Kyle McDonagh 77); Wilson Waweru (Seb Quirk HT)

Subs not used: Conor Walsh (gk), Matty Wolfe, Cian Kavanagh, Ronan Manning, Callum Lynch, Gareth McElroy

Referee: Aaron O’Dowd (Dublin)

Attendance: 2,038