Dundalk suffer defeat in the west

It was a losing start for new Dundalk FC manager Jon Daly as The Lilywhites were beaten 2-0 by Galway United in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division tonight.

Ex-St Patrick’s Athletic boss Daly, announced as Noel King’s replacement just over 24 hours before kick-off in Galway, missed an early opportunity to close the gap on second-from-bottom Drogheda United, who were defeated 4-2 by Waterford on Thursday night.

That was down to Ross Munro’s own-goal in the first half, before Maurice Nugent sealed the win in the second period for high-flying Galway, now fourth with two games in hand.

Dundalk looked decent throughout the opening 10 minutes in Terryland, with Zak Bradshaw’s cross from the left being headed over the top by skipper John Mountney.

At the other end, the hosts had a couple of half-hearted penalty appeals waved away; Mountney tussled inside the box with Stephen Walsh, who later had a shot blocked out by Andy Boyle, with the Galway bench insisting it hit the hand of the Dundalk player.

John Caulfield’s side began to assert their control as the half wore on, as Al-Amin Kazeem dispossessed Archie Davies before firing an effort wide from outside the box.

They nearly took the lead when Zak Johnson attempted to clear from a Brendan Clarke kick-out, but only into the path of Aodh Dervin, whose first-time hit crashed off the bar.

Galway got themselves in front soon afterwards on 23 minutes when David Hurley’s corner from the right was clawed into his own net by Dundalk goalkeeper Munro.

The Lilywhites were almost caught out by another Clarke kick-out, which wasn’t initially dealt with, before Mayowa Animasahun and Johnson cleared in quick succession.

Paul Doyle’s attempted ball into the box, that was easily caught by Clarke, was the only thing that even resembled a shot on target for Dundalk throughout the opening half.

As the half neared its conclusion, Walsh’s angled attempt was never troubling Munro, while right-back Jeannot Esua sent a shot into orbit two minutes before the interval.

Dundalk weren’t far off levelling matters on 67 minutes when a nice exchange between Daryl Horgan and Jamie Gullan saw the latter then fire a dangerous shot across goal.

However, the visitors almost shot themselves in the foot for a second time when Doyle was dispossessed by Karl O’Sullivan, who subsequently dragged a shot wide of the post.

The Tribesmen did make it 2-0 on 72 minutes when Conor McCormack’s corner from the right was headed home by Nugent, with the points now looking guaranteed for Galway.

Munro was very nearly caught out by Wassim Aouachria’s hooked effort before Nugent fired straight at the Dundalk keeper from outside the box at the end of that same attack.

Dundalk never looked likely to get themselves back into the game, with Cameron Elliott’s wayward effort from the left-hand side the closest they came to pulling a goal back.

Galway United: Brendan Clarke; Jeannot Esua, Rob Slevin, Killian Brouder, Al-Amin Kazeem; Maurice Nugent (Garry Buckley 81), Conor McCormack; Aodh Dervin (Karl O’Sullivan 62), David Hurley (Wassim Aouachria 62), Ed McCarthy (Leonardo Gaxha 85); Stephen Walsh

Subs not used: Joe Wright (gk), Conor O’Keeffe, Patrick Hickey, Francely Lomboto, Kyle Fitzgerald

Dundalk FC: Ross Munro; Zak Johnson, Andy Boyle, Mayowa Animasahun (Cameron Elliott HT); Archie Davies, Paul Doyle (Eoin Kenny 81), Zak Bradshaw, John Mountney (Hayden Muller 34); Daryl Horgan; Jamie Gullan, Sam Durrant (Ryan O’Kane 69)

Subs not used: Sean Molloy (gk), Jamie Walker, Louie Annesley, Luke Mulligan, Sean Keogh

Referee: Mark Houlihan (Dublin)