Dundalk forced to share the spoils against Kerry

Dundalk FC’s grip on the summit of the SSE Airtricity League First Division was loosened to six points after they were forced to share the spoils in a breathless 3-3 draw with Kerry at Oriel Park.

The Lilywhites, who battled back on three separate occasions, were ultimately frustrated, with Cobh Ramblers’ 3-0 triumph at Athlone Town trimming the leaders’ advantage to just six points with seven games remaining.

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The evening’s drama was shaped by Ronan Teahan’s superb brace and a Robert Cleary header for Kerry, each time cancelled out by a double from the evergreen Daryl Horgan and a delightful strike from substitute Keith Ward.

Uncharacteristically subdued in the early stages, Dundalk took 17 minutes to register their first real attempt — Gbemi Arubi’s deflected drive flashing narrowly wide after a desperate intervention from Chris McQueen.

Soon after, Eoin Kenny found the net, only for play to be halted as Declan McDaid was penalised for a high boot on Niall Brookwell in the build-up.

Against the run of play, Kerry stunned the home crowd on 23 minutes. Captain Teahan weaved his way past Luke Mulligan before driving a crisp low effort beyond the reach of Enda Minogue to open the scoring.

The Lilywhites sought an instant response. Vinnie Leonard, linked with a potential move to Celtic, curled narrowly wide after being teed up by Horgan, while McDaid blazed over from a JR Wilson cross.

At the other end, Minogue was forced into action to smother Cleary’s volley after a teasing delivery from Teahan.

Dundalk’s best chance of the half came when Aodh Dervin released Arubi through on goal, but the in-form striker was denied brilliantly by Matthew Connor’s outstretched foot.

Mulligan then went close at the far post before Dundalk were handed a lifeline on 41 minutes — Kenny’s lofted pass set Arubi racing clear, only to be felled by Connor. Referee Lucas Keating pointed to the spot, and Horgan stepped up with trademark composure, dispatching his fifth goal in as many games to level the contest.

Parity, however, was short-lived. Within moments, Minogue failed to deal with a cross from the left, allowing Cleary to rise highest and nod Kerry back in front just before the break.

Manager Ciaran Kilduff rang the changes at half-time, and they paid almost immediate dividends. Just two minutes after the restart, substitute Ward delivered into the box for captain Horgan, who slotted home his second of the night and sixth in five matches to make it 2-2.

Yet Dundalk’s joy was fleeting once again. Moments later, Ward was dispossessed deep in midfield, and Teahan seized the opportunity, striding forward before unleashing a thunderous strike from distance to restore Kerry’s advantage.

The contest, now pulsating, produced another twist on 52 minutes. A flowing one-touch exchange between Horgan and Ward culminated in the latter dinking a sublime finish over Connor to bring the game level at 3-3.

The relentless tempo continued. Horgan drew a smart save from Connor, Ward fired narrowly over, and Kenny tested the goalkeeper with a low drive.

As The Lilywhites pressed for a winner, shots from Horgan and Dervin were bravely blocked in quick succession, while substitute Rohan Vaughan’s effort was diverted over the bar by Kenny from close range.

Controversy followed when Norman Garbett surged into the box and appeared to be clipped by Arran Healy, but instead of awarding a penalty, referee Keating brandished a yellow card to Kilduff for dissent.

Dundalk poured forward in the dying minutes — Ward’s corner found Conor O’Keeffe, whose tame header was easily gathered, while Dean Ebbe was thwarted late on by Connor.

Ward’s ambitious long-range strike in the closing stages summed up Dundalk’s evening: full of endeavour, but lacking the decisive edge.

At the whistle, Kerry could celebrate a famous point, while Dundalk, despite their resilience, were left to rue a missed opportunity as the promotion race tightens with just seven matches to play.

Dundalk FC: Enda Minogue; Luke Mulligan (Norman Garbett HT), Mayowa Animasahun (Conor O’Keeffe HT), Vinnie Leonard, JR Wilson; Aodh Dervin, Andy Paraschiv (Keith Ward HT); Eoin Kenny (Dean Ebbe 78), Declan McDaid, Daryl Horgan; Gbemi Arubi (Rohan Vaughan 68)

Subs not used: Peter Cherrie (gk), Harry Groome, Sean Spaight, TJ Molloy

Kerry: Matthew Connor; Ewan Lee, Chris McQueen, Niall Brookwell, Sean O’Connell; Oran Crowe (Arran Healy 66), Carl Mujaguzi; Ryan Perez (Cian Brosnan 54), Ronan Teahan, Joe Adams; Robbie Cleary (Luke Palmer 82)

Subs not used: Darragh Foley (gk), Sean McGrath, Samuel Aladesanusi, Finn Barrett, Luke Doolan

Referee: Lucas Keating (Cork)

Attendance: 1,634