Dundalk 3
Derry City 1
Dundalk earned a come-from-behind win over Derry City at Oriel Park to widen the gap at the top of the SSE Airtricity League to eight points.
While Cork City now have two games to spare on the champions, a 3-1 win gives Dundalk a vital buffer over their nearest rivals. This game really did feel like ‘must -win’.
Goals from John Mountney, Brian Gartland and David McMillan cancelled out Lukas Schubert’s early opener and eased concern from the home support over Dundalk’s ability to sustain their levels amidst a packed fixture programme.
Candystripes boss Kenny Shiels watched Dundalk’s 1-1 draw with Shamrock Rovers on Tuesday, describing it as ‘insipid’.
Shiels – whose son Dean now plays for the Louth men – said tiredness was starting to affect the champions as the season reached conclusion.
His side, he said, had no such concerns over fatigue and while that wasn’t materially evident in the early stages at Oriel Park, it was Derry that took a sixth minute lead.
Barry McNamee stole in after a tangle between Rory Patterson and Andy Boyle and his shot was saved by Gary Rogers. Dane Massey, poised to clear, slipped and Schubert gleefully took his opportunity.
If Rovers’ point here on Tuesday left the title door ajar for Cork, Schubert’s goal swung the race wide open. However, within 11 minutes, Dundalk edged in front. Stephen Kenny’s side are very much intent on keeping their championship under lock and key.
First, Daryl Horgan won the ball on halfway and burst forward before delivering a right-footed cross. McMillan fluffed his chance but the ball fell to Mountney who composed himself before rifling a shot past Ger Doherty.
On 17 minutes, it was 2-1. After Doherty produced an outstanding save to deny McMillan, Massey hit the crossbar from the corner. The rebound fell onto the head of Brian Gartland, who steered his header into the top corner.
Speaking to RTE’s Tony O’Donoghue during the game, Shiels said there was “nothing in it” and in truth, Derry did pose a threat when going forward. McNamee in particular was a danger whenever he found a pocket of space inside the home side’s final third.
Three goals and more good chances aside, it was entertaining fare in the first half. The early indicators after play resumed was that more was to come. Dundalk had more of the play and more of the chances.
Scoring his 20th goal of a stellar campaign, McMillan gave Dundalk a cushion on 59 minutes. He latched onto Horgan’s brilliant through ball and managed to squeeze a shot past Doherty at his near post.
The winger was in imperious form – no surprise after hearing he’s on the verge of an Ireland call-up, according to Martin O’Neill.
While at Cork, Horgan earned Republic of Ireland Under 21 honours back in 2013. By the time he hopes to eventually earn a senior cap, he may well have proved decisive in denying his former side league glory.
Tonight’s win for Dundalk is huge in title race terms. If they are feeling tired, they certainly didn’t show it.
DUNDALK: Gary Rogers, Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey, Ronan Finn, Stephen O’Donnell (Robbie Benson, 80), John Mountney (Chris Shields, 75), Patrick McEleney, Daryl Horgan, David McMillan (Ciaran Kilduff, 72).
Subs not used: Gabriel Sava, Paddy Barratt, Dean Shiels, Darren Meenan.
DERRY CITY: Ger Doherty, Conor McDermott, Niclas Vemmelund, Max Karner (Ben Doherty, 65), Dean Jarvis, Aaron McEneff, Conor McCormack, Barry McNamee, Lucas Schubert, Ronan Curtis (Nathan Boyle 76), Rory Patterson.
Subs not used: Shaun Patton, Cristian Castells, Harry Monaghan, Keith Ward, Josh Daniels.
REFEREE: Paul McLaughlin (Donegal)
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Gamesmanship if he was English of course!
@Shane McGettrick: he is English.
A foul for shouting “leave it”??? Jesus christ. Chaboloah should know his surroundings and his position, he should know well that there wasn’t another Watford player behind him – at least not one in a better scoring position. He should’ve taken his chance rather then been bossed out of his shot. Artur should give him his jersey to wipe up his tears.
@Cillian McCormick: It’s one of those “I can’t believe this is actually a rule” that sometimes pop up in sport
@Brian Dunleavy: it’s not to anyone who plays the game at any level. Lads get pulled up for shouting my ball or leave it all the time. That’s why you need to call a name when challenging for a ball
@Cillian McCormick: speech play it was called in our neck of the woods back in the day
It was class
@Philip foster: thought so too,hilarious.
He is English
@Mark Collins: ape.
@David: you think he’s not English?
@David: born in England, to English-born parents. Has lived in England all his life. Do you really not think that he’s not at least even a little bit English?
The crowd should shout leave it
@John O Reilly: Nice one
If it happened in a game of 5 a side you’d be fit to give him a slap. A real d**khead move.
@Chicken George: Just being clever. Do you slap all people who are smarter than you? I’d say your hand is sore.
@Chicken George: ah lad
That was a funny thing
Ya can’t go mad over that.
He didn’t call him a —– or anything
Seriously thought
Would most of you go mad if this happened you in an indoor game ?
@Pj:
Why
Do
Dis
@Camroc: clever? Any idiot can do that. Maybe it’s clever for someone with your basic intellect?
@Liam: I didn’t
Way it came off the phone ya gimp
This is unsportsmanlike, so what is diving or going down if a player is next to you in the box? How often do they call that out?
The player should only leave it if he hears a teammate put their name on the ball. Otherwise, play on.
It’s a professional foul but one that happens all the time.
“presumably telling him to ‘leave it’”
Nobody playing after the u-12 soccer grade says ‘leave it’.
Brilliant
He voted Tory. He is English
Rules of the playground.”leave it” is not on but “miss it” is acceptable if not encouraged