Dundalk FC pay the penalty as unbeaten run comes to an end at Finn Harps
The Argus
On a weekend when the Louth GAA footballers got lost on their way to Ballybofey, Dundalk also lost their way in the Co Donegal town on Monday night.
Coming into the game unbeaten in their opening 19 matches, Ciarán Kilduff's side were forced to make the long journey home with nothing to show for it as Gradi Lomboto's 61st minute penalty ensured a first victory in 10 matches for Finn Harps.
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Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Patience pays off as Dundalk FC put four past Kerry
While Ciarán Kilduff's side have always been the team to beat in the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division, quite often they have struggled to produce the sort of results to match their performances. Prior to their trip to Tralee on Friday, the Lilywhites had won 13 matches but just four had been by more than a goal – two by a two goal margin and two by three. Given their level of dominance in games throughout the season to date, it's somewhat surprising that it took until match day 22 to really put a team to the sword but that's what they did in Kerry. Having opened up a four point gap at the top of the table over Cobh Ramblers a week prior, this result means they now also have a four point advantage when it comes to goal difference as well. While the fact that two of the goals came in injury time to perhaps put a flattering look on the scoreline, the victory was no more than the Lilywhites deserved. While a large travelling support descended on Mounthawk Park, the trip will live longer in the memory than the game itself. In truth, this was a tough watch for a long period. Yet from a Dundalk perspective, it was another box ticked off – three points acquired and one game closer to the finish line of promotion. Perhaps post Cobh, a big win was just what the side needed. Something to put a bit of a pep in their step heading to the Carlisle Grounds to face Bray Wanderers this weekend. Leaving aside the two 4-0 wins against Malahide Utd and a Shamrock Rovers underage side in the Leinster Senior Cup, this was the biggest win of the Kilduff era and the first time that Dundalk have scored four in a game since the 4-2 victory over Drogheda Utd almost a year ago on July 12 2024. It was also the first time that the side have scored four on their travels since a 5-1 win away to UCD on the final day of the 2023 campaign. The club has changed a lot since those days but, bit by bit, they're working their way back to the top flight. This was another notable step in that direction. Both sides had chances in the early stages with Daryl Horgan curling a shot just wide from just outside the box on four minutes following good one-two with Gbemi Arubi. Kerry then registered the first shot on target a minute later when Sean McGrath got a shot away, which unfortunately for him was straight down the throat of Enda Minogue. ADVERTISEMENT After Eoin Kenny had been denied by Tim-Oliver Heimer at his near post, Dundalk then hit the front on 20 minutes. Alex Dunne's attempted pass was cut out by Harry Groome, who collected the ball before stepping inside the defender and curling a shot to the net for what was his 15th career goal and fourth against the Munster men. The visitors pressed for a second after that but Kenny's drilled cross from the right just evaded Horgan on 29 minutes while another of his balls into the box was cleared off the line by Niall Brookwell six minutes later after Dean Ebbe looked destined to score. To their credit, Colin Healy's side pushed for a way back into the game either side of half-time. On 41 minutes Kennedy Amechi's bicycle kick required a save from Minogue, while moments later Oran Crowe had a shot drift just wide. Substitute Arran Healy then had a shot blocked after Crowe's free kick had dropped to him in the box within three minutes of the restart. The outcome was largely put beyond doubt on the hour mark, however, when Ebbe released Kenny on the right, with his low shot beating Heimer at his near post for what was the 19-year-old's 10th senior career goal. Kilduff rang the changes after that with Andy Paraschiv and Keith Ward both having attempts go just wide. As the game looked to be drifting to a dull finish, Dundalk added two more goals in stoppage time. The first arrived in the 93rd minute when Ward's free kick crept to the net following a foul by Brookwell on Kenny. Still rocked from that concession, Kerry conceded another almost directly from the restart as Ebbe slipped Paraschiv in, with the teenager holding off Chris McQueen before firing home his side's fourth. The two trips to Kerry this season have been memorable for the side and its fans. All associated with Dundalk will be hoping it's a long time before they're in Tralee again though, with promotion the ultimate goal of this season. Kerry FC: Heimer; Dunne (Barrett 76), McQueen, Brookwell, Williams, O'Connell; Mujaguzi (Healy HT), Crowe; McGrath; Amechi, Palmer. Dundalk FC: Minogue; Wilson (Mulligan 81), Animasahun, Leonard, Keogh (McHale 70); Dervin, Groome (Paraschiv 70); Kenny, Ebbe, Horgan (McDaid 61); Arubi.
Irish Daily Mirror
21 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Finn Harps snap up international defender as part of double-swoop
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Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Irish Independent
Dundalk FC manager Ciarán Kilduff says Cobh win was a ‘coming of age' for his young side
SSE Airtricity League Men's First Division The Argus Today at 10:30 Dundalk manager Ciarán Kilduff hailed Friday night's 1-0 win over Cobh Ramblers as a 'coming of age' performance for his young side. The Lilywhites came into the top of the table clash on the back of a first defeat of the season away to Finn Harps four days earlier but showed plenty of resolve to produce one of their best displays of the campaign to open up a four point gap once more courtesy of Gbemi Arubi's early acrobatic goal.
