Dundalk 3
UCD 0
Keith Wallace reports from Oriel Park
MICHAEL DUFFY WAS the star man as Dundalk quickly restored their seven-point lead at the top of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division with a routine 3-0 win over bottom-of-the-table UCD at Oriel Park on Monday night.
The reigning champions went into cruise control as early as the third minute when Duffy unleashed an unstoppable shot from 25 yards.
Duffy doubled Dundalk’s advantage past the quarter-hour when he finished off Patrick Hoban’s cross, and the deadly duo traded roles before half-time as Hoban fired in.
That made certain of the three points and the Lilywhites eased through the second half as they saved energy amid a busy schedule.
Dundalk head coach Vinny Perth had freshened up his team for this latest test with five changes from Friday’s extra-time win at Derry City in the FAI Cup second round.
Captain Brian Gartland, John Mountney, Patrick McEleney, Dean Jarvis and Andy Boyle were all recalled to the starting XI in place of Daniel Cleary, Daniel Kelly, Seán Murray, Dane Massey and Chris Shields, as Seán Hoare moved to midfield.
This was UCD’s first away game under new boss Maciej Tarnogrodzki and he named the same side that dumped Saint Patrick’s Athletic out of the FAI Cup at The Bowl.
However, The Students – who lost 10-1 at Bohemians in their last league outing, and have only one point on the road this season – were behind here with just over two minutes on the clock as Duffy unleashed a wonderful 25-yard strike that flew into the corner.
Mountney immediately went down with an injury off the ball and was forced off, with Daniel Kelly taking the Mayo man’s place.
Dundalk made it 2-0 in the 19th minute when Seán Gannon set Hoban clear down the right and he delivered a low cross into the six-yard box for the in-rushing Duffy to tap in.
The defending champions threatened again soon after when Jarvis and Hoban combined down the left and Gavin Sheridan did well to tip the striker’s header around the post. Hoban should have scored moments later but he miscued in front of goal.
UCD responded with an attack that almost got them back into the game, as Liam Kerrigan set up Jason McClelland but his shot went past the upright.
Dundalk were having it easy and they completely killed the game off in the 38th minute when Hoban played a brilliant one-two with Duffy, whose pull-back was blasted in by the club’s record goalscorer.
Hoban nearly added another straight after the interval when he connected with Duffy’s corner, but Sheridan held the header well. Hoban then flicked McEleney’s pass into the path of Kelly but the winger could not put the finish on a fabulous move.
Perth brought in Murray and Friday’s extra-time hero Georgie Kelly during a second half which Dundalk completely controlled as they took a comfortable step closer to retaining the league title.
DUNDALK FC: Gary Rogers; Seán Gannon, Brian Gartland (c), Andy Boyle, Dean Jarvis; Seán Hoare, Patrick McEleney; John Mountney (Daniel Kelly 7), Jamie McGrath (Seán Murray 62), Michael Duffy; Patrick Hoban (Georgie Kelly 76).
UCD AFC: Gavin Sheridan; Dan Tobin, Liam Scales (c), Luke Boore, Evan Farrell; Liam Kerrigan, Jack Keaney, Dara Keane (Aaron McGrath 82); Richie O’Farrell (Sam Byrne 73), Jason McClelland, Yoyo Mahdy.
Referee: Robert Hennessy (Limerick).
Good to see Sammy putting in good performances. He could turn out to be an excellent Internation too. Great to see strength and depth at centre in Munster too, Scannel, Farrel, Taute, Arnold and even Goggins.
It would be nice to see some Munster developed players break into the national team, and stay there. It has been a long time since Conor Murray and Simon Zebo did so. There are a number of players in the background but they really need to start producing more for Ireland.
@grandslamkbo: O’Mahony? I agree that we could do with more lads breaking in for regular games but there’s such a log jam of Leinster players…
@EnKy: POM, of course. My error, I meant backs. No reason to drag thinly veiled hostility towards Leinster in this. What Munster-developed players do you think are being unfairly kept out of the first team or regular squad positions for Leinster players? As an Irish supporter, I want to see the best for the national team. Every team has to do their part.
@grandslamkbo: last weekend there were 3 Leinster starters, 2 – munster, 1 Connacht and 1 Ulster. For the next match it’ll be 3 munster, 2 Leinster, 1 Connacht and 1 Ulster. Not sure how you figure munster should be doing more.
@Jim Demps: It was a pretty poor attempt at trolling
This guy has got some serious acceleration.
The abuse joe get and yet the work he puts into these younger players and bringing them through slowly but making sure each part of the foundation is rock solid. Those who buy into this learning set up and do the required work will become far better players for us in the medium and long term.
@Chris Mc: where you seeing all this abuse for Joe?
@Jim Demps: Ahhhh c’mon now… Even Ive hurled the odd bit of abuse at him. And i think he’s flippin great.
The criticism from fans is constant. No matter what he does there will be those who think he shouldve done differently. That’s just the territory of being a head coach. Everyone has an opinion, so no matter what choice Schmidt makes, someone will disagree
@Jim Demps: I just made it up
@Rudiger McMonihan: ya ur probably right. I’m always dumbfounded that he goes with toner.
Fine player with a big future ahead for Munster and Ireland.