Dundalk FC finish campaign with win away to Cobh

Dundalk FC brought their SSE Airtricity League First Division title-winning campaign to a fitting and stylish close with a 2–1 victory over second-placed Cobh Ramblers at St Colman’s Park on the final night of the season.

Dean Ebbe opened the scoring for the champions on 35 minutes, before Matthew Whelan struck late to level proceedings. Yet Rohan Vaughan’s exquisite finish in the dying moments ensured The Lilywhites ended the campaign 10 points clear of their nearest challengers.

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The night began with a gesture of respect, as promoted Dundalk received a guard of honour from their hosts, the First Division runners-up.

Making 10 changes from the previous week’s title-clinching triumph over Finn Harps, Dundalk still began brightly. Inside two minutes, captain Keith Ward’s dipping free-kick bounced awkwardly before being safely gathered by Cobh goalkeeper Oisin Barry.

Moments later, Eoin Kenny showed his sharpness, gliding past two defenders and finding Luke Mulligan, whose cross was met by Ebbe — the striker’s header rattling the crossbar.

Cobh responded through Whelan, whose fifth-minute strike from distance stung the palms of Enda Minogue. The Dundalk goalkeeper would later deny the same player superbly, tipping over a powerful effort from range.

At the other end, Dundalk maintained their attacking intent. Sean Spaight’s delivery into the box found Norman Garbett, though his acrobatic attempt was well off target.

Ward then turned provider again, his teasing cross from the right met by Kenny at the far post, but the youngster’s first-time strike drifted wide.

As the first half drew to a close, Rohan Vaughan left Nolan Evers trailing in his wake before cutting the ball back to Ebbe, who was denied from close range by Barry’s outstretched feet.

The reprieve was brief. Seconds later, Ebbe — instrumental in the build-up — received the ball back from Kenny inside the area, took two composed touches, and drilled low into the bottom corner for his 10th league goal of the season.

Early in the second half, Minogue found himself fortunate to avoid dismissal after bringing down Sam Bellis as the Cobh forward looked poised to round him in a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Dundalk, however, quickly reasserted themselves, with Garbett’s surging run leading to Ward slipping in Kenny, whose shot skewed narrowly wide.

Substitute Dylan McGlade — once a trialist with Dundalk — almost haunted his former suitors moments after coming on, flashing a strike just past Minogue’s near post. As manager Ciaran Kilduff made several changes, Andy Paraschiv, now operating at right-back, also went close but failed to hit the target.

Cobh eventually found their equaliser on 79 minutes when McGlade’s effort deflected off Mulligan and fell kindly for Whelan, who made no mistake to level the match at 1–1.

Yet Dundalk would not be denied a triumphant finale. With three minutes remaining, Kenny’s driven effort flashed dangerously across goal before young Shay Casey teed up Vaughan, who applied a sublime, composed finish to seal a 2–1 victory — and cap a memorable season in fitting, champion style.

Cobh Ramblers: Oisin Barry; Faruq Adegboyega (Rhys Gourdie 85), Nolan Evers, John O’Donovan, Lucas Curtin; Jason Abbott, Harvey Cribb (Ciaran Galvin 69); Evan Deasy (Dylan McGlade 58), Mikey Carroll (Jonas Hakkinen 85), Sam Bellis (Oscar Ahern 69); Matthew Whelan

Subs not used: Luke Morrissey (gk), Iestyn Hughes, Luka Le Bervet

Dundalk FC: Enda Minogue (Sammy Safaei 61); Luke Mulligan, Ethen Vaughan (Calum Woods 61), Vinnie Leonard (Shay Casey 61), Sean Spaight; Keith Ward (TJ Molloy 61), Andy Paraschiv; Eoin Kenny, Dean Ebbe, Norman Garbett (Conall Alfred 70); Rohan Vaughan

Subs not used: Aodh Dervin, Harry Groome, Gbemi Arubi, Declan McDaid

Referee: Aaron O’Dowd (Dublin)