Dundalk FC record another win, defeating Sligo Rovers in the west

SSE Airtricity League Premier Division

Sligo Rovers 0-2 Dundalk FC

Dane Massey’s first league goal in over a year helped to extend Dundalk FC’s unbeaten SSE Airtricity League Premier Division run to 20 games and left them needing just four more wins to claim another title, as they overcame Sligo Rovers 2-0 at The Showgrounds on Monday night.

Sligo – who were undefeated in ten league games at home, going back to April 6 – were dealt a blow before kick-off with the withdrawal of in-form forward Ronan Coughlan through a hamstring injury he suffered in the warm-up.

Dundalk last tasted a domestic defeat when they visited the Bit O’ Red almost five months ago, but it was the reigning champions who drew early blood here as Massey struck with a fabulous finish on the quarter-hour.

The left-back had enjoyed scoring at The Showgrounds in his early days as a Dundalk player, netting in 1-0 wins in 2013 and 2014, and he will have been delighted to get back on the score-sheet once again having only previously been on it this season in the President’s Cup back in February.

Dundalk doubled their advantage in the 53rd minute when Michael Duffy floated in a corner which was met by a bullet header from Andy Boyle, who scored for the first time since his return to the club.

Patrick McEleney, Duffy and Patrick Hoban all hit the woodwork after that, but the league leaders had to settle for just two goals as they reopened a seven-point gap over Shamrock Rovers at the top of the standings.

Dundalk head coach Vinny Perth had made four changes to the side which blew bottom-of-the-table UCD away 5-0 at The Bowl 72 hours earlier.

Boyle, Duffy, Hoban and Seán Gannon were all recalled to the starting XI, in place of the unlucky Daniel Cleary, Seán Murray, Georgie Kelly and Cameron Dummigan. Jamie McGrath passed a late fitness test but there was no place in the matchday squad for either Murray or John Mountney.

Sligo, meanwhile, initially made just one switch from the team that lined out in their impressive 4-2 win over Cork City at Turner’s Cross on Friday as Sam Warde came in for John Russell, who dropped to the bench. However, before kick-off, they lost Coughlan who was replaced by ex-Dundalk man Ronan Murray.

The hosts were also hit with the loss of centre-half Dante Leverock, whose long suspension commenced following his headbutt on a Limerick player, along with fellow defenders Johnny Dunleavy and Danny Kane who both failed late fitness tests.

Both sides had an early corner, and from the first of those, Sligo had a penalty appeal for handball against Massey waved away. In the tenth minute, Gannon tried a rare shot from distance but it flew over.

Dundalk hit the front in the 15th minute when Duffy’s attempt to pick out Daniel Kelly was cut out by Regan Donelon whose clearance came to Massey who connected beautifully to find the net.

McGrath then saw his shot collected by Ed McGinty, before his opposite number Gary Rogers saved a header from Sligo captain Kyle Callan-McFadden.

On 20 minutes, Hoban flashed a strike wide before Massey rolled the ball into the path of McGrath whose effort from the edge of the box was disappointing as it went off target.

Dundalk were well in control and, on the half-hour, McEleney’s cross was glanced towards goal by Kelly but it lacked the necessary power or direction to trouble McGinty.

With six minutes to the break, McGrath went close with a curling 20-yard shot that went just past the post.

Dundalk survived a slight scare right on half-time when Gannon under-hit a back-pass to Rogers, with the experienced ‘keeper doing well to deny Romeo Parkes a late leveller.

Eight minutes after the restart, Dundalk created some breathing space with a second goal as Duffy’s corner was met by a brilliant header from Boyle who gave McGinty no chance. It was Boyle’s first Premier Division goal since scoring against Bohemians at Oriel Park in October 2016.

McEleney almost added a stunning third in the 57th minute when he unleashed a shot from 25-yards which crashed back off the crossbar. Soon after, Massey was denied a second by a good block from Russell.

On 67 minutes, Duffy clipped the top of the woodwork with a wonderful effort, before Robbie Benson was given more value game-time as he came on for Daniel Kelly who limped off.

With ten minutes left on the clock, Hoban’s header from a Duffy corner hit the crossbar for the third time in the half, but it mattered little as Dundalk – who handed a late league debut to Lido Lotefa – comfortably saw the game out.

Elsewhere in the top flight, Cork’s dismal home record continued as they conceded two late goals to go down 2-1 to Waterford at Turner’s Cross, where the Leesiders have won just twice in 15 attempts this season.

It was a second straight defeat for their new boss Neale Fenn who brings his side to Oriel Park on Friday night, where Dundalk have the opportunity to open up a huge ten-point lead at the summit.

Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lewis Banks, John Mahon, Kyle Callan-McFadden, Regan Donelon (Niall Morahan 80); David Cawley, Sam Warde; Kris Twardek, Daryl Fordyce (Niall Watson 75), Romeo Parkes; Ronan Murray (John Russell 56)

Subs not used: Luke McNicholas (gk), Brian Morley, Scott Lynch

Dundalk FC: Gary Rogers; Seán Gannon, Seán Hoare, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey; Chris Shields, Patrick McEleney; Daniel Kelly (Robbie Benson 72), Jamie McGrath (Cameron Dummigan 79), Michael Duffy (Lido Lotefa 87); Patrick Hoban

Subs not used: Aaron McCarey (gk), Brian Gartland, Georgie Kelly, Daniel Cleary

Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin)

Attendance: 1,655 (official)

Booked: Sligo Rovers: Sam Warde (28), Daryl Fordyce (60), John Russell (62) & Dundalk: None