Dundalk 2
Galway United 0
DUNDALK AVENGED APRIL’S defeat to Galway United at Oriel Park tonight as goals from Dane Massey and Patrick McEleney either side of the break helped Stephen Kenny’s men to a straightforward 2-0 victory over the visitors.
While it was by no means a vintage showing from the champions, the minimum effort always looked as if it was going to be enough against a Galway side whose struggles look certain to continue.
The hosts dominated the opening period and Massey deservedly put them into the lead with a bullet header after 15 minutes. The left-back rose unchallenged at the front post to meet Michael Duffy’s sweet corner-kick.
Robbie Benson and David McMillan — who was chasing his 13th goal in his last 14 league games — had efforts on goal in subsequent attacks as the home side continued to dominate.
Although as the half progressed, the atmosphere died to an almost silent notch and it seemed to translate onto the pitch as the high tempo of Dundalk’s play gradually decreased.
Seán Hoare acrobatically shot off target from another pinpoint Duffy corner in the lead up to the break. That proved to be the final action of note in a disappointing opening half, where the visitors never once threatened the target.
Paddy Barrett headed a glorious opportunity over the top and McMillan shot at Conor Winn when through on goal as the second half began along the same lines as the first; with the Lilywhites in complete control.
Dundalk were still in need of a second goal though and when it arrived you could almost sense the sigh of relief from around Oriel Park.
McEleney was the source, his third strike in as many outings, as he punished Alex Byrne’s hesitancy in firing low past Winn.
The final third of the game settled back to a pedestrian pace with Galway content to continue their policy of containment despite trailing, and eventually losing, by a two-goal margin.
DUNDALK: Gary Rogers; Seán Gannon, Paddy Barrett, Sean Hoare, Dane Massey; Chris Shields, Robbie Benson; Michael Duffy (John Mountney 71), Patrick McEleney, Jamie McGrath (Thomas Stewart 84); David McMillan (Ciaran Kilduff 69).
GALWAY UNITED: Conor Winn; Colm Horgan, Lee Grace, Stephen Folan, Marc Ludden; Alex Byrne, Paul Sinnott; Gary Shanahan (Ronan Murray 71), Conor Melody (Aaron Conway 87), Kevin Devaney; Vinny Faherty (Owen McCormack 87).
Referee: Robert Harvey.
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Davy McMillan’s scoring record really does not get the attention it deserves. 12 in 14 is sensational. And he missed the first few games. How many has Maguire got?
@Citeóg: more
@Citeóg: 18 in 19 games.
@Citeóg: I think any fan of the league is aware of the quality of McMillan and would be glad to have him at their club, don’t think he’s at Maguires level though. A lot of deserved hype around Maguire but I’m sure McMillan will keep banging them in.
@Dan: Mc doesn’t score enough in and around the 6 yard box
@Jah: I don’t think he’s scored outside the box this season actually. Agree Maguire is better though
@Citeóg: outside the 6 yard box?
@Citeóg: McMillan and Maguire are there two better strikers who play for Ireland at the moment? McMillan has the physical presence, Maguire is great goalscorer. Long is probably the only player I would pick ahead of them. I guess the magic plane to England would help them to be picked.
@Citeóg: fair dues boy,honest appraisal
They actually teared up the pitch and relayed it. Good to see the Cork fans out in force on the Dundalk articles again. Obsessed. We get decent numbers considering you have ten times the population boys
@Citeóg: yeah,we can be a bit OTT ref city and Dundalk,but we are enjoying our time in the sunshine,long may city’s reign last!
Chris Shields playing centre half and centre midfield? Impressive.
Another full house tonight in Oriel, I see….
@Gerry Ivie: I was up in Dundalk for the Cork City game. For a team that has banked a fair bit of dollar from their exploits in Europe it doesn’t look like they have spent a dime on Oriel Park. It’s a kip and their plastic pitch is a disgrace
@Jah: agree
@Gerry Ivie: When Rovers start filling Tallaght again, you can have a pop at Dundalk.
@Gerard O’Brien: they need to fill it,, disgrace that with the population of Dublin they can’t get full houses every week,, joke
@Gerard O’Brien: I’m saying nothing about the Bohs s*um. It’s all been said before lol
Another Limp performance from a team already deciding that they’ve been beaten before the game. That’s two teams in 4 days with the same attitude playing away at Oriel Park. And Dundalk average less than 2000 people for their home matches after a number of years topping the tree. Fair weather supporters and characterless players, bodes well for the league alright
@Jah: about sums it up
Bit of monument coming up for the UCL qualifiers?