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Irish Independent
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Early FAI Cup exit as Dundalk FC leave their shooting boots behind
Friday's FAI Cup tie was billed as a good chance to see the potential difference between the top of the First Division and the bottom half of the Premier. On the basis of this game there is very little – apart from in front of goal. While Dundalk may well have won on points had this been a boxing match, not for the first time in recent weeks Ciarán Kilduff's side lacked power in their punches. By contrast, a Sligo Rovers side whose manager John Russell was missing due to illness were able to deliver two killer knockout blows in the space of four second-half minutes from, firstly, James McManus and then Jake Doyle-Hayes. While Bit O Red goalkeeper Sam Sargeant was certainly in the shake-up for the man of the match award, having pulled off a number of fine saves, it will be of concern to the Lilywhites that for the second week running they created a plethora of chances without taking any. Harry Groome's effort just before half-time was as gilt-edged as they come and perhaps had that found the net then a shock might have been on the cards. However, a screamer from on-loan Bohemians midfielder McManus rattled the Lilywhites, with a soft header conceded just three minutes later from Doyle-Hayes effectively ensuring that there would be no early-round exit for Sligo for the fifth year running. Dundalk, to their credit, did their best to avoid a first home FAI Cup defeat in 17 matches stretching back to their quarter-final defeat against Shamrock Rovers in 2014, but the closing 35 minutes or so were almost a reminder of last season's relegation campaign when there was plenty of hustle and bustle without much real belief that something could be rescued from the game. While the Lilywhites weren't looking for silver linings, they can take some heart from the way they conducted themselves either side of the Sligo goals. The men from The Showgrounds came into this game on a real high following a 2-0 victory over Derry City the week before. They named an unchanged side in Oriel Park and, with a bit more of a cutting edge, could have been upset. It would be dangerous to read too much into one 90-minute game, but the fact Dundalk were competitive showed that maybe the gap isn't that big , if they were able to secure promotion. Either way this will surely have whet the appetite to get back to playing against some of the country's bigger clubs. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more The visitors almost got off to a dream start when Will Fitzgerald slipped Jad Hakiki in on the left inside the opening two minutes, but he was denied by Enda Minogue at close range at the expense of a corner. That would prove to be Sligo's only noteworthy attempt of the opening half, with Dundalk slowly growing into it after a nervous opening. Their own first attempt arrived on 16 minutes when Daryl Horgan's corner found Vinnie Leonard, but his looping header was comfortable for Sargeant to deal with. The former Waterford goalkeeper was then called into action again eight minutes later when he was forced to spring to his right to push Groome's long-range attempt away. The former Bray midfielder should have given the home side the lead in first-half stoppage time. Good work on the right by Declan McDaid, Shane Tracey and JR Wilson saw the latter pull back for Groome 10 yards out, but he curled his effort just the wrong side of the post. Sligo then hit the front within six minutes of the restart with a classy strike from McManus, who met a partially cleared corner at the edge of the box with a stunning right-footed effort that flew past Minogue to the top right-hand corner. It was then 2-0 on 54 minutes, with Fitzgerald's cross from the left flicked on by the head of Doyle-Hayes and into the bottom right-hand corner. Dundalk almost responded five minutes later when Shane Tracey's ball in from the right was met first-time by Gbemi Arubi, but his low effort was brilliantly turned around the post by Sargeant low to his left. Andy Paraschiv then let fly from distance on 68 minutes with an effort that dipped just over the bar before fellow substitute Dean Ebbe let the visitors off the hook on 84 when he latched onto a slack back pass to beat Sargeant, but his effort lacked the power to get across the line. Horgan then forced another fine save from Sargeant a minute later as Sligo held out for the win. Dundalk's Cup dreams are over at the first hurdle for the second year running. The main target, though, is promotion to get back to having nights like this more regularly in Oriel. Dundalk: Minogue; Wilson, Leonard, Sean McHale (O'Keeffe 22), Keogh (Spaight 71); Dervin, Tracey (Parashiv 61); McDaid (Kenny 61), Groome, Horgan; Arubi (Ebbe 61). Sligo Rovers: Sargeant; Reynolds, Denham, McClean, Fitzgerald; Doyle-Hayes (Patton 66), McManus; Elding, Hakiki, O'Kane (McDonagh 77); Waweru (Quirk 46). Attendance: 2,083
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
FAI Cup tie against Sligo Rovers isn't a ‘free hit' insists Dundalk FC boss Ciarán Kilduff
FAI CUP – Dundalk FC v Sligo Rovers Dundalk manager Ciarán Kilduff insists his side aren't viewing this Friday's FAI Cup tie with Sligo Rovers at Oriel Park as a 'free hit' and instead have expectations of causing a cup upset. While John Russell's side will come into the game as understandable favourites given their Premier Division status and recent good form, Kilduff – who won the Women's FAI Cup with Athlone Town – said he wants to go as far as possible in the competition.
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
FAI Cup shocks harder to find as wider gap emerges
The hope surrounding a cup competition might be rooted in its tradition of upsets, late drama, and breakout heroes, but this weekend's FAI Cup second round feels more about predictability than possibility. The draw has been kind – at least to the favourites – with none of the big hitters forced into early battles against one another. That's a shame if you're hoping for chaos, but a blessing for clubs juggling European exploits and domestic pressures. From the outset, it's hard to see any of the Premier Division elite slipping up. The tie of the round, at least in name, is Dundalk hosting Sligo Rovers – but even that has a feeling of formality to it. Sligo come into the fixture with growing momentum, their young squad increasingly in tune with John Russell's methods. New signings have settled straight away, and they've added quality without disrupting their rhythm. Dundalk are flying high in the First Division under Ciarán Kilduff, who has propelled them into serious promotion contention. However, the gulf in quality between the two divisions remains significant, and stopping this in-form Sligo side is a major challenge. Elsewhere, the top flight's top sides have drawn opposition far enough down the footballing ranks to make any upset unlikely. That's not to dismiss the junior clubs involved – sides like Leicester Celtic and Crumlin United have rich histories and competitive squads – but the widening gap in conditioning and professionalism makes giant-killings a tougher ask than ever. There was a time when a well-drilled amateur team could rattle a League of Ireland side. But modern football – especially at League of Ireland level – has changed. Nutrition, sports science, and sleep routines are now as crucial as tactical plans. These players are full-time in everything they do. And crucially, they're in-season. Match-sharp, tactically in-tune, and physically peaking. The amateur sides arrive into this round under prepared and outgunned. We saw a gulf in conditioning laid bare over the last week. Shelbourne and Linfield played out a tense European tie over two legs, with Linfield – for all their structure and belief – struggling to match Shelbourne's relentless energy late in games. The main difference being Linfield are in pre-season and Shelbourne are in the middle of their campaign and at peak fitness levels. So what hope for the amateur Crumlin United, facing the holders Drogheda United tonight? Of course, the beauty of any cup is that belief can trump reason, if only on rare occasions. But this weekend feels a little too grounded, a little too practical. That doesn't mean there won't be stories. For some clubs, this round could shape their season. Take St Patrick's Athletic. Stephen Kenny's side make the trip south to face UCC in Cork, just days after last night's impressive triumph in Lithuania in their European qualifier. There'll be tired legs, changes in personnel, and the challenge of motivation against a side they're expected to brush aside. For a club in indifferent league form, the competition might offer their clearest route back into Europe – especially now that the FAI Cup winners earn a Europa League qualifying spot rather than a place in the less lucrative Conference League. Expect Kenny to rotate, but not too much. With so much on the line, getting through is the priority – even if it takes grit over glamour. Shelbourne face a different logistical challenge. Their European duties saw them return from Belfast midweek, and they now meet Fairview – a trip to Limerick. The European draw couldn't have been kinder. If Joey O'Brien had written it himself, he wouldn't have asked for much better: a beatable opponent, minimal travel, and a manageable turnaround before their trip out west. But even for Shels, the cup can be a distraction. When the stakes of European football include hundreds of thousands and into the millions in prize money and the kind of exposure most clubs dream of, it's human nature to look ahead. Preparation for Fairview and UCC will be focused, but the mental energy required to swing between competitions is real. Still, this weekend shouldn't throw up many surprises. Not because teams won't try – they will – but the gaps have never been greater. Cup football used to be the great leveller. Now, professionalism does the levelling – in favour of the stronger, fitter, sharper side. That doesn't mean the FAI Cup has lost its magic. But maybe the upsets are harder to pull off then they once were.
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Dundalk and Treaty Utd looking to upset Sligo Rovers and Derry City in FAI Cup second round
From the low of the current FAI Cup holders being thrown out of Europe, the next team will elevate directly into the Europa League. It was the Europa which provided Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk with access to the group stages in 2011 and 2016 but Uefa adding the Conference League in 2021 blocked off that path. League winners enter the Champions League and for five years the other three teams qualified for the third competition. That has bolstered the chances of group stage participation but Europa carries higher rewards, €700,000 guaranteed, together with the fallback of a Conference League second round tie should they suffer elimination. A total of 32 teams are involved in the Cup second round, beginning with 10 ties on Friday night. Five non-league teams are among them, with Tolka Rovers, Killester Donnycarney and St Mochta's giving up home advantage against Premier teams Galway United, Bohemians and Waterford respectively. Unlike previous years, there's no all-Premier Division clash. The standout of Friday's series is the meeting of Dundalk and Sligo Rovers at Oriel Park. When the draw was made six weeks ago, Dundalk were runaway First Division leaders and Sligo Rovers propping up the Premier. Time has altered the landscape slightly, Dundalk remaining top despite losing at Bray Wanderers last week while Sligo have generated form, winning two and drawing the other two of their last four to open up an eight-point gap on the new basement team, Cork City. Dundalk boss Ciarán Kilduff may have available his latest capture Rohan Vaughan, a striker signed on loan from QPR for the rest of the season. 'The lads are motivated and excited for the opportunity to test ourselves against a top-tier side,' said Kilduff, whose club have won the FAI Cup 12 times. 'We know it's going to be a big challenge but it's also a big occasion at Oriel and we want to rise to that. Everyone's focused and ready to put on a good performance for the supporters.' Another venue for a potential upset is Markets Field where Treaty United welcome Derry City. The Limerick side pushed Derry all the way two years ago, narrowly losing 2-1 in the semi-finals. They currently sit fourth in the second tier, well positioned to secure a playoff spot, and succeeded in slaying form side Cobh Ramblers last Friday. Derry, meanwhile, lost the recent momentum that conferred title contender status when they lost at Sligo Rovers. 'We're expecting something of a backlash from Derry,' said Tommy Barrett, manager of the Limerick side since they entered the league in 2021. 'Our record against Premier teams in the past has been good and Derry only beat us 2-1 at their place. I think they've improved since then, with a team containing many full internationals. 'Of course, I'd prefer to have drawn a non-league team in our opening round rather than one of the strongest in the country but we've to ensure we are at it. 'Derry are full-time and we're not but we'll be putting up a fight for sure.'
Irish Independent
05-07-2025
- Sport
- 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.
