IT IS ON nights like this when league titles are won, and indeed lost. A draw against an embattled Bray side wasn’t enough to get over the line nor has it proved completely detrimental to Dundalk’s title hopes but it must have felt like the Airtricity League trophy was slipping through their grasp in conditions you wouldn’t dare put the dog out in.
It remains to be seen if this was a point gained or two dropped but it will all become abundantly clear in a week’s time. As it is, Stephen Kenny’s men have been leapfrogged by Cork City, who seized the opportunity with a comfortable victory over Bohemians. Dundalk know another three points on front of their home fans will be enough to win their first title since 1995 on the final day. Anything less and the glory will be Cork’s.
If truth be told, it could have been a whole lot worse for the Lilywhites but for Pat Hoban’s 20th goal of the season shortly after the hour mark. If there was a night on which you wanted to avoid a trip to the seaside, then this was very much it. Gail Force winds swept in from the coast as driving rain – almost apocalyptic – made it impossible for any sort of cohesive football to be played.
It didn’t bother Bray, though. They attuned to the conditions far better and required just 28 seconds to find a hole in Dundalk’s otherwise watertight rearguard. They had kept four consecutive clean sheets before tonight but the way in which they were opened up in the first minute set the tone for a tense evening for their supporters.
Jake Kelly’s cross found it ways to Dean Zambra and after his shot was parried by Peter Cherrie, David Cassidy – a former Drogheda man, no less – was on hand to slot home from close range. Some of the travelling fans hadn’t even made their way into the ground. Most of the Dundalk players hadn’t even touched the ball.
The visitors responded in kind but failed to take advantage of the gust at their backs in the first period. They tested the handling of young Stephen McGuinness on more than one occasion but looked a shadow of the side that had got themselves into this position.
On more than one occasion, they were guilty of trying to do too much on a night which even made the simple things arduous. McGuinness was in imperious form, despite picking up a knock to his ankle, as he thwarted Stephen Meenan and then pushed Dave Scully’s wayward header to safety.
Scully came close to doubling the hosts’ lead shortly before the interval. Again, the Dundalk defence stood off and Scully’s rising drive was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Cherrie. The goalkeeper was left rooted to the spot after the interval but was relieved to see Jake Kelly’s free header rebound off his bar.
It was a let-off for Dundalk and one they took advantage off. Meenan’s centre held up in the wind and Hoban was on hand to slide in and volley past the helpless McGuinness. Cometh the hour, cometh the man.
What the Lilywhite supporters would give for one more goal from the striker next week. They know what they need to do but Cork will have other ideas. It’s sure to be a fitting end to an absorbing title race. Mind you, let’s just hope the conditions are slightly better at Oriel Park.
Bray Wanderers: Stephen McGuinness; Eric McGill, David Webster (capt), Niall Cooney, Michael Barker; Jake Kelly (Philly Hughes, 89’), Owen Rossi, Graham Kelly, Dean Zambra, Adam Hanlon; David Cassidy; David Scully.
Subs not used: Gavin Sheridan, Ryan Swan, Shane O’Connor, Gareth McDonagh, Robert Maloney.
Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; Sean Gannon (Stephen O’Donnell, 62’), Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle (capt), Dane Massey; Chris Shields (Donal McDermott, 88’), Richie Towell; Darren Meenan, Kurtis Byrne (John Mountney, 45’), Daryl Horgan; Pat Hoban.
Subs not used: Gabriel Sava, Ruaidhri Higgins, Mark Griffin, Mark Rossiter.
Dundalk's title bid takes a hit after 1-1 draw in Bray
Bray Wanderers 1-1 Dundalk
IT IS ON nights like this when league titles are won, and indeed lost. A draw against an embattled Bray side wasn’t enough to get over the line nor has it proved completely detrimental to Dundalk’s title hopes but it must have felt like the Airtricity League trophy was slipping through their grasp in conditions you wouldn’t dare put the dog out in.
It remains to be seen if this was a point gained or two dropped but it will all become abundantly clear in a week’s time. As it is, Stephen Kenny’s men have been leapfrogged by Cork City, who seized the opportunity with a comfortable victory over Bohemians. Dundalk know another three points on front of their home fans will be enough to win their first title since 1995 on the final day. Anything less and the glory will be Cork’s.
If truth be told, it could have been a whole lot worse for the Lilywhites but for Pat Hoban’s 20th goal of the season shortly after the hour mark. If there was a night on which you wanted to avoid a trip to the seaside, then this was very much it. Gail Force winds swept in from the coast as driving rain – almost apocalyptic – made it impossible for any sort of cohesive football to be played.
It didn’t bother Bray, though. They attuned to the conditions far better and required just 28 seconds to find a hole in Dundalk’s otherwise watertight rearguard. They had kept four consecutive clean sheets before tonight but the way in which they were opened up in the first minute set the tone for a tense evening for their supporters.
Jake Kelly’s cross found it ways to Dean Zambra and after his shot was parried by Peter Cherrie, David Cassidy – a former Drogheda man, no less – was on hand to slot home from close range. Some of the travelling fans hadn’t even made their way into the ground. Most of the Dundalk players hadn’t even touched the ball.
The visitors responded in kind but failed to take advantage of the gust at their backs in the first period. They tested the handling of young Stephen McGuinness on more than one occasion but looked a shadow of the side that had got themselves into this position.
On more than one occasion, they were guilty of trying to do too much on a night which even made the simple things arduous. McGuinness was in imperious form, despite picking up a knock to his ankle, as he thwarted Stephen Meenan and then pushed Dave Scully’s wayward header to safety.
Scully came close to doubling the hosts’ lead shortly before the interval. Again, the Dundalk defence stood off and Scully’s rising drive was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Cherrie. The goalkeeper was left rooted to the spot after the interval but was relieved to see Jake Kelly’s free header rebound off his bar.
It was a let-off for Dundalk and one they took advantage off. Meenan’s centre held up in the wind and Hoban was on hand to slide in and volley past the helpless McGuinness. Cometh the hour, cometh the man.
What the Lilywhite supporters would give for one more goal from the striker next week. They know what they need to do but Cork will have other ideas. It’s sure to be a fitting end to an absorbing title race. Mind you, let’s just hope the conditions are slightly better at Oriel Park.
Bray Wanderers: Stephen McGuinness; Eric McGill, David Webster (capt), Niall Cooney, Michael Barker; Jake Kelly (Philly Hughes, 89’), Owen Rossi, Graham Kelly, Dean Zambra, Adam Hanlon; David Cassidy; David Scully.
Subs not used: Gavin Sheridan, Ryan Swan, Shane O’Connor, Gareth McDonagh, Robert Maloney.
Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; Sean Gannon (Stephen O’Donnell, 62’), Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle (capt), Dane Massey; Chris Shields (Donal McDermott, 88’), Richie Towell; Darren Meenan, Kurtis Byrne (John Mountney, 45’), Daryl Horgan; Pat Hoban.
Subs not used: Gabriel Sava, Ruaidhri Higgins, Mark Griffin, Mark Rossiter.
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2 points lost Bray Wanderers Carlisle Grounds Dundalk Patrick Hoban Richie Towell SSE Airtricity League