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Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
James McManus sets Sligo Rovers on way to victory over wasteful Dundalk
Sligo Rovers' recent history in this competition has been a tale of shock exits to First Division opposition and while Dundalk's standing makes them an unlikely underdog, the gap between the two leagues is arguably growing rather than closing. For an in-form Rovers side that is showing signs that they can make a late push to avoid a relegation playoff, exiting the cup to the Lilywhites would have been hard to swallow. But they had to ride their luck to advance here, with the final scoreline not quite telling the full story of proceedings. They were under the cosh for a large part of the first half and were extremely fortunate to avoid going in behind with Harry Groome firing a left-footer wide of the post when it appeared easier to score. The let-off galvanised the guests who didn't appear to be enjoying the unpredictable surface. They emerged from the break to effectively put the game to bed with two moments of quality. Russell's July window business has centred around bringing in Premier players that know the league. The spotlight coming into the game was on Dundalk native Ryan O'Kane's first visit to Oriel Park since his loan move from Shelbourne to the Bit'O'Red. He was booed throughout, but the locals were silenced when James McManus – a temporary arrival from Bohemians – found the top corner with a delicious right-footer after a corner broke in his direction. Before Dundalk could recover from the gut punch, they were two down with Jake Doyle-Hayes glancing a Will Fitzgerald cross past Enda Minogue. It was hard to take for Ciaran Kilduff as for the second week in succession, his team fired blanks in a two-goal defeat where they had most of the chances. Their league loss to Bray is more important in the bigger picture, but Kilduff will still be frustrated by the wastefulness. His team are doing a lot of things right in the attacking department, but they met another in-form goalkeeper with Sam Sargeant making big saves from Gbemi Arubi and Daryl Horgan as the Lilywhites tried to provide a grandstand finish. Dean Ebbe squandered another big opportunity, and it's stating the obvious to declare that Dundalk will need to be more clinical if they are to achieve their aim of returning to the top flight at the first attempt. Otherwise, they could be reunited with Rovers in an end-of-season playoff. Russell and his players are thinking bigger and Drogheda's success in this competition last term has proven that cup joy and battling the drop can go hand-in-hand. With an improved league ranking meaning this is the most lucrative renewal of the competition ever with €700,000 in UEFA money guaranteed to the winners. That is a distraction that every participant will welcome. There could be further negative consequences from the night for Dundalk after the match officials noted an offensive comment made to visiting player Owen Elding in the first half. It's understood the comment from the home section was related to the player's nationality. English-born Elding is actually in the process of declaring for Ireland via citizenship rules. Elding went on to play a big role in the second half when switched to a central role and assistant boss Ryan Casey said the player wasn't bothered by the episode. Dundalk: Minogue, Wilson, Leonard, McHale (O'Keeffe 22), Keogh (Spaight 73); Dervin, Tracey (Paraschiv 60); McDaid (Kenny 60), Groome, Horgan; Arubi (Ebbe 60)
RTÉ News
20-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
First Division wrap: Leaders Dundalk held as Cobh Ramblers win to get closer
Late goals for both sides ensured a share of the spoils in a tense game at Oriel Park as Treaty United struck late to snatch a 1-1 draw against league leaders Dundalk. It looked as if the Lilywhites had laid claim to the three points with an 85th-minute strike from Harry Groome, only for it to be cancelled out in added-on time by Mark Walsh to earn the Shannonsiders a draw. Dundalk went close to scoring in the opening seconds of the game with a Daryl Horgan free-kick, which was met by Eoin Kenny at the back post, but the forward's header flashed wide. Treaty defender Richkov Boevi was inches from scoring in the 14th minute, with his goalbound header from a corner being cleared off the line by the outstretched Enda Minogue, who was forced to make a vital stop. Despite continued pressure, the Lilywhites failed to convert a series of chances as Treaty continued to look dangerous on the counterattack. Kenny once again had a clear sight on goal in the 30th minute but was unable to convert, while Lee Devitt struck the side-netting for the visitors moments later. Sean McHale sent his headed effort just over the bar for Dundalk in the 55th minute from a Daryl Horgan free as the goal continued to elude the home side in the opening period of the second half. McHale was then called into action to make an important block as Sullivan's strike from the edge of the area had to be deflected for a corner. The resulting set piece in the 60th minute saw Treaty almost squeeze the ball home, only for Aodh Dervin to make a vital intervention off the line. Dundalk looked certain to score from a breakaway attack from midfield with Eoin Kenny setting Leo Gahxa down the right, but the Dundalk winger's low effort whistled past the post. The home side would score late in the contest, with Harry Groome finding the net in the 85th minute. Treaty failed to clear their defensive lines from a Keith Ward corner, with the ball recycled on the left by Andy Paraschiv. He laid the ball to Groome with the Dundalk midfielder striking first time to rifle the ball to the back of the net, leaving Chambers flat-footed. The action was yet to be concluded with Treaty scoring in added time to snatch a point with captain Mark Walsh latching onto the ball in the Dundalk area and squeezing his effort past Minogue to grab a point for the away side. Elsewhere, Cobh Ramblers narrowed the gap at the top to just four points following a comprehensive 3-0 win at UCD. Barry Coffey's sixth-minute strike handed the visitors the perfect start against the Students at the UCD Bowl, and they doubled their lead in the tenth minute through Sam Bellis. Coffey was then on hand six minutes before the break to bag his brace and secure the three points for Ramblers. Bray Wanderers ' title ambitions took a major hit as they went down 2-1 to Kerry as they remain in third place, nine points off the top. Kennedy Amechi's opening-minute strike handed the hosts the early lead, and while Max Murphy levelled from the spot in the 52nd minute, Kerry would seal the victory through Abel Alabi's 87th-minute winner. Longford took the points with a slender victory in Wexford, with Emre Topcu's sixth-minute strike the difference between the two sides, while Athlone Town and Finn Harps prop up the table following their scoreless draw. Dundalk: Enda Minogue, Sean McHale, Aodh Dervin, Daryl Horgan, Harry Groome, Dean Ebbe (Keith Ward 76), Leo Gaxha, Luke Mulligan, Vincent Leonard, Eoin Kenny, Shane Tracey (Andy Paraschiv 68). Treaty United: Corey Chambers, Richkov Boevi, Lee Devitt, Colin Conroy (Stephen Healy 80), Yousef Maddy, Nikodem Kozlowski (Roy Lawlor 67), Evan O'Connor, Mark Walsh, Mark Murphy (Connor Willson 67), Eoin Martin, Karl O'Sullivan.
