Dundalk book place in FAI Cup last 16 with Mochta’s win
The gulf between the sides was evident from the outset as Dundalk dominated possession
Dundalk FC cruised into the last 16 of the Club Orange FAI Cup with a comfortable 3-1 victory over St Mochta’s at Oriel Park.
Despite the departure of leading scorer Gbemi Arubi to English League One side Burton Albion, the Lilywhites scarcely missed his firepower. Shane Tracey, Trevor Clarke and Harry Groome all found the net before Dean Moran’s late consolation denied the hosts a clean sheet.
The gulf between the sides was evident from the outset as Dundalk dominated possession and chances throughout.
Their first opening arrived after nine minutes when Leo Gaxha wriggled clear but steered his effort wide. Moments later, Groome’s dipping cross from the left clipped the crossbar before Luke Mulligan fired over from inside the penalty area.
The breakthrough came in the 15th minute. Wearing the captain’s armband, Aodh Dervin floated an intelligent pass into the path of Tracey, who got there ahead of St Mochta’s goalkeeper Adam Hayden to slot home.
St Mochta’s best opportunity came immediately after the restart when Billy Gilmore attempted an ambitious lob from the halfway line, but Peter Cherrie was never seriously troubled as the effort drifted well wide.
Dundalk continued to create chances. Clarke squared for Gaxha, whose finish lacked conviction, while Groome’s volley through a crowded penalty area was comfortably gathered by Hayden. Clarke then found himself unmarked at the far post from Mulligan’s cross but dragged his effort wide.
The hosts thought they had doubled their advantage on the half-hour. Hayden saved Tracey’s initial effort with his feet before Declan McDaid converted the rebound, only for the offside flag to rule out the finish.
Ciaran Kilduff’s side did not have to wait long for a second. Clarke first poked wide after being found by McDaid, but on 37 minutes Gaxha burst clear down the flank and delivered a low cross which Clarke converted from close range to mark his first full appearance for the club since joining from Shamrock Rovers with a goal.
Dundalk threatened again before the interval, Hayden producing a save to deny Groome’s drive from distance before Mulligan blazed over moments later.
The home side resumed in similar fashion after the break. Tracey fired over before, shortly after the hour, Groome’s corner was flicked on by Mayowa Animasahun and Gaxha headed over from close range.
The contest was effectively settled in the 65th minute. Tracey, outstanding throughout, supplied the assist as Groome finished confidently for Dundalk’s third goal.
The pair almost combined again moments later when Tracey pulled the ball back invitingly for Groome, but the midfielder blasted over from a promising position.
St Mochta’s did manage a late response. Gilmore’s corner from the left was met by substitute Moran, whose header found the net in the 82nd minute.
It proved no more than a consolation, however, as Dundalk completed a straightforward victory to secure their place in the last 16, rarely looking troubled over the course of the 90 minutes.
Dundalk FC: Peter Cherrie; Luke Mulligan (Bobby Burns 62), Mayowa Animasahun (Egor Vassenin 62), Sean Spaight, Tyreke Wilson; Aodh Dervin, Shane Tracey; Leo Gaxha (Ronan Teahan 87), Harry Groome, Trevor Clarke (Aaron Keogh 71); Declan McDaid
Subs not used: Sammy Safaei (gk), Daryl Horgan, Keith Buckley, Rob Cornwall, TJ Molloy
St Mochta’s: Adam Hayden; Sam McGowan, Conor Dunne, Calvin Rogers, Craig Giles (Chris Lotefa 84); Ciaran Grogan, Aaron Robinson (Dean Moran 70); Tyler Doherty (Jordan Buckley 56), Billy Gilmore, Michael Scott; Jimmy McHugh (Darragh Owens 70)
Subs not used: Ciaran McAuley (gk), Gerard Crawley, Lucas Pinoncely
Referee: Alan Patchell (Dublin)
Attendance: 1,148