Dundalk FC move to third after win over Tribesmen

Dundalk moved into third place in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division after edging past Galway United 2-1 at Oriel Park, with substitute Declan McDaid striking twice late on to settle a contest that had threatened to frustrate the hosts.

Ciaran Kilduff’s side dominated the opening period but were repeatedly denied by an impressive Evan Watts in the Galway goal. Daryl Horgan, who earlier confirmed a two-year contract extension, was central to Dundalk’s early pressure.

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His inviting delivery inside three minutes was headed wide by Eoin Kenny, before he teed up Tyreke Wilson, whose effort was comfortably held.

The chances continued to arrive. Ronan Teahan glanced a JR Wilson cross narrowly off target, while Horgan saw a curling attempt tipped over and then clipped the crossbar with a cross-cum-shot.

Bobby Burns and Horgan were also denied by Watts as Dundalk pressed for a breakthrough. Galway’s best opportunity of the half fell to Ed McCarthy, but he fired over after Aaron Bolger’s cross drifted through, leaving the sides level at the interval.

The visitors began the second half with renewed purpose. Arthur Parker forced Enda Minogue into a low save after good work from Frantz Pierrot, though Dundalk soon resumed control. Burns and Gbemi Arubi both tested Watts, while Keith Buckley and Arubi failed to convert presentable chances.

Dundalk came closest on 64 minutes when Kenny cleverly dummied Tyreke Wilson’s pass, allowing Horgan to strike the underside of the crossbar.

The pressure finally told nine minutes from time. Horgan released Wilson down the left and his cross was turned in at the back post by McDaid.

McDaid doubled the lead five minutes later in near-identical fashion, finishing from close range after substitute Harry Groome’s run and delivery.

Galway ensured a tense finale when Stephen Walsh produced an acrobatic finish from Kris Twardek’s cross on 90 minutes, but Dundalk held firm through five minutes of stoppage time to secure a deserved victory and climb to third.

Dundalk FC: Enda Minogue; JR Wilson, Mayowa Animasahun, Harvey Warren, Tyreke Wilson; Keith Buckley, Bobby Burns (Harry Groome 73); Eoin Kenny (Declan McDaid 73), Ronan Teahan (Shane Tracey 68), Daryl Horgan; Gbemi Arubi

Subs not used: Peter Cherrie (gk), Leo Gaxha, Luke Mulligan, Sean Spaight, Aaron Keogh, Shay Casey

Galway United: Evan Watts; Arthur Parker, Gianfranco Facchineri, Killian Brouder, Lee Devitt (Wasiri Williams 87); Aaron Bolger (Axel Piesold 72), David Hurley; Kris Twardek, Matty Wolfe (Connor Barratt 55), Ed McCarthy (Francely Lomboto 87); Frantz Pierrot (Stephen Walsh 55)

Subs not used: Hugo Cunha (gk), Conor McCormack, Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau, Al-Amin Kazeem

Referee: Daryl Carolan (Louth)

Attendance: 2,673