Dundalk strike late to edge five-goal Louth derby

A late Daryl Horgan free-kick gave Dundalk FC a stirring 3-2 Louth derby victory over Drogheda United at Sullivan & Lambe Park, tightening the Lilywhites’ hold on fourth place in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.

Horgan’s 89th-minute strike, his 10th goal of the season, settled an absorbing contest in which Dundalk had led through Cian Dillon before Keegan Ancelin and Brandon Kavanagh turned matters around for Drogheda before the interval.

Substitute Ronan Teahan restored parity in the second half before Horgan supplied the decisive flourish.

Drogheda fashioned the first opening after six minutes, James Bolger heading Kavanagh’s left-wing corner off target.

Dundalk replied swiftly, Enda Minogue’s quick release sending Trevor Clarke away down the left. Clarke found Leo Gaxha in space, but the forward scuffed wide when he should have tested the goalkeeper.

The visitors made their advantage count on 25 minutes. Horgan dispossessed Edwin Agbaje inside the area and rolled the ball into the path of Dillon, who finished from close range for his first Premier Division goal since joining Dundalk last month.

Bobby Burns went close to adding a second soon afterwards, his low drive diverted wide by Dillon, but Drogheda responded well.

Agbaje atoned for his earlier error on 32 minutes, carrying the ball forward before releasing Ancelin, who beat Minogue at his near post.

Three minutes later, the home side were ahead. Kavanagh, working in a crowded penalty area, lifted the ball over Minogue with a delicate finish that may have owed something to fortune but was no less effective for it.

Drogheda threatened again as the interval approached, Bolger heading another Kavanagh delivery wide, while Dundalk spurned a chance to level when Dillon sent Horgan through and Gaxha turned wide under pressure. Kavanagh later fired over following a misplaced Clarke pass, before Mark Doyle’s effort was gathered by Minogue in added time.

Kavanagh remained central to Drogheda’s threat after the restart, his free-kick met by Conor Keeley, whose header struck the crossbar 10 minutes into the second half.

The contest lost some of its first-half abandon, but Dundalk found a route back on 67 minutes. Horgan’s initial cross was not cleared and, on the opposite flank, Tom Grivosti was afforded time to deliver a measured ball which Teahan turned in from close range.

Dundalk pressed for a winner and Dillon came within inches of finding it five minutes from time, turning Horgan’s low cross narrowly wide. The decisive moment arrived a minute from the end when Shane Tracey was fouled by Ethan O’Brien in a dangerous position.

Horgan, the Dundalk captain, stepped forward and curled a superb free-kick beyond the goalkeeper to secure the derby spoils.

Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; Andrew Quinn (Jason Bucknor 77), Conor Keeley, James Bolger; Edwin Agbaje, Alfie Bates (Ethan O’Brien 70), Shane Farrell (Ryan Brennan 70), Conor Kane; Brandon Kavanagh; Mark Doyle (Warren Davis 73), Keegan Ancelin (Thomas Oluwa 77)

Subs not used: Fynn Talley (gk), Leo Burney, Jago Godden, Kieran Cruise

Dundalk FC: Enda Minogue; Tom Grivosti, Mayowa Animasahun, Egor Vassenin, Bobby Burns (Rob Cornwall 90+1); Harry Groome (Shane Tracey 56), Keith Buckley (Aodh Dervin 56); Trevor Clarke (Ronan Teahan HT), Leo Gaxha (Declan McDaid 64), Daryl Horgan; Cian Dillon

Subs not used: Peter Cherrie (gk), Sammy Safaei (gk), Luke Mulligan, Aaron Keogh

Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin)

Attendance: 2,436