“If there was a script written, it could have hardly have been more dramatic,” said Stephen Kenny in his programme notes for the title-decider against Cork City. This was going to have thrills and spills, regardless of the outcome.
After a slow start to what was the most eagerly-anticipated League of Ireland game in years, it exploded into life in the second half. Dundalk’s leading man on the night was Stephen O’Donnell, a player who many had thought had seen the curtain come down on his season.
Making his first start since rupturing his cruciate ligament in April, O’Donnell made the most timely of returns to lead his side to a first Premier Division title in 19 years.
After last week’s setback in Bray, Dundalk had seen their place at the league summit slip outright from their hands for the first time since May. At Oriel Park tonight, they wrest it back in sensational fashion. Goals from O’Donnell and Brian Gartland – his 11th of an extraordinary campaign – sealed the victory and the title.
The game got off to the most feisty start imaginable. Within what seemed like a nano-second of the start, Richie Towell was bundled over and a free-kick was awarded. Within five minutes, two Cork City players had their names in referee Neil Doyle’s book and tempers flared on the sideline too.
Stephen Kenny and John Caulfield in particular were enraged with the tackles flying so early on in the encounter. It required diplomacy of the highest order from Doyle and fourth official Tomas Connolly to mediate.
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On the pitch, the game took it’s time to get going. It wasn’t living up to the atmosphere – made extra special by the huge numbers in attendance, vocal throughout – but perhaps it was what was to be expected. Dundalk required the opening goal if for no other reason but to draw Cork out. In a football match, the Lilywhites will have fancied their chances.
Good chances were at a premium for both sides early on but after Garry Buckley hit a couple of speculative efforts just wide of Peter Cherrie’s goal, Dundalk had some chances of their own.
City boss John Caulfield after the game. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
Darren Meenan’s cross from the right just eluded Daryl Horgan and top scorer Pat Hoban couldn’t connect and then Dane Massey saw a low shot well saved by Mark McNulty. The best chance of the opening period fell to Billy Dennehy. Despite the presence of a seven man well, his low free kick broke the shield and struck the base of the post.
Dundalk have a reputation for being quick out of the blocks in the second half of games. They had to hear, after all only 45 minutes of a long season remained to get anything from the game. Just three minutes in, Richie Towell layed the ball off for O’Donnell to cooly slot a low shot past Mark McNulty for the lead goal and the advantage in the title race.
It was Oriel Park like you’ve never seen it before. The visitors rallied to their credit, but chances were rare. Billy Dennehy wasted several set-pieces and Mark O’Sullivan flashed a header wide late on. The goal that sealed the game and the title for the Louth side came eight minutes from time.
Ruaidhri Higgins’ free-kick wasn’t cleared by the Cork defence and after what seemed like an eternity of bobbling around, it was guided into the bottom corner by Gartland. That was the defender’s 11th goal in all competitions this season.
A league win is all they deserve and more. The league’s top scorers and the division’s tightest defence. There can be no complaints. There won’t be in Dundalk tonight. Stephen Kenny and his charges are the toast of the town.
DUNDALK: Peter Cherrie, Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey, Chris Shields (Ruaidhri Higgins, 9), Stephen O’Donnell, Richie Towell, Darren Meenan (John Mountney, 76), Daryl Horgan, Patrick Hoban (Kurtis Byrne, 89).
Substitutes: Gabriel Sava, Mark Rossiter, Donal McDermott, Mark Griffin.
CORK CITY: Mark McNulty, Michael McSweeney, Dan Murray, Darren Dennehy, John Dunleavy, Gearoid Morrissey (John Kavanagh, 63), Colin Healy, Garry Buckley (Rob Lehane, 73), Billy Dennehy, Mark O’Sullivan, John O’Flynn (Josh O’Shea, 63).
Substitutes: Kevin O’Brien, Gavin Kavanagh, Dave O’Leary, Liam Kearney.
Hollywood ending to season as Stephen O'Donnell revels in dramatic comeback role
Dundalk 2
Cork City 0
“If there was a script written, it could have hardly have been more dramatic,” said Stephen Kenny in his programme notes for the title-decider against Cork City. This was going to have thrills and spills, regardless of the outcome.
After a slow start to what was the most eagerly-anticipated League of Ireland game in years, it exploded into life in the second half. Dundalk’s leading man on the night was Stephen O’Donnell, a player who many had thought had seen the curtain come down on his season.
Making his first start since rupturing his cruciate ligament in April, O’Donnell made the most timely of returns to lead his side to a first Premier Division title in 19 years.
After last week’s setback in Bray, Dundalk had seen their place at the league summit slip outright from their hands for the first time since May. At Oriel Park tonight, they wrest it back in sensational fashion. Goals from O’Donnell and Brian Gartland – his 11th of an extraordinary campaign – sealed the victory and the title.
The game got off to the most feisty start imaginable. Within what seemed like a nano-second of the start, Richie Towell was bundled over and a free-kick was awarded. Within five minutes, two Cork City players had their names in referee Neil Doyle’s book and tempers flared on the sideline too.
Stephen Kenny and John Caulfield in particular were enraged with the tackles flying so early on in the encounter. It required diplomacy of the highest order from Doyle and fourth official Tomas Connolly to mediate.
On the pitch, the game took it’s time to get going. It wasn’t living up to the atmosphere – made extra special by the huge numbers in attendance, vocal throughout – but perhaps it was what was to be expected. Dundalk required the opening goal if for no other reason but to draw Cork out. In a football match, the Lilywhites will have fancied their chances.
Good chances were at a premium for both sides early on but after Garry Buckley hit a couple of speculative efforts just wide of Peter Cherrie’s goal, Dundalk had some chances of their own.
Darren Meenan’s cross from the right just eluded Daryl Horgan and top scorer Pat Hoban couldn’t connect and then Dane Massey saw a low shot well saved by Mark McNulty. The best chance of the opening period fell to Billy Dennehy. Despite the presence of a seven man well, his low free kick broke the shield and struck the base of the post.
Dundalk have a reputation for being quick out of the blocks in the second half of games. They had to hear, after all only 45 minutes of a long season remained to get anything from the game. Just three minutes in, Richie Towell layed the ball off for O’Donnell to cooly slot a low shot past Mark McNulty for the lead goal and the advantage in the title race.
It was Oriel Park like you’ve never seen it before. The visitors rallied to their credit, but chances were rare. Billy Dennehy wasted several set-pieces and Mark O’Sullivan flashed a header wide late on. The goal that sealed the game and the title for the Louth side came eight minutes from time.
Ruaidhri Higgins’ free-kick wasn’t cleared by the Cork defence and after what seemed like an eternity of bobbling around, it was guided into the bottom corner by Gartland. That was the defender’s 11th goal in all competitions this season.
A league win is all they deserve and more. The league’s top scorers and the division’s tightest defence. There can be no complaints. There won’t be in Dundalk tonight. Stephen Kenny and his charges are the toast of the town.
DUNDALK: Peter Cherrie, Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey, Chris Shields (Ruaidhri Higgins, 9), Stephen O’Donnell, Richie Towell, Darren Meenan (John Mountney, 76), Daryl Horgan, Patrick Hoban (Kurtis Byrne, 89).
Substitutes: Gabriel Sava, Mark Rossiter, Donal McDermott, Mark Griffin.
CORK CITY: Mark McNulty, Michael McSweeney, Dan Murray, Darren Dennehy, John Dunleavy, Gearoid Morrissey (John Kavanagh, 63), Colin Healy, Garry Buckley (Rob Lehane, 73), Billy Dennehy, Mark O’Sullivan, John O’Flynn (Josh O’Shea, 63).
Substitutes: Kevin O’Brien, Gavin Kavanagh, Dave O’Leary, Liam Kearney.
REFEREE: Neil Doyle (Dublin)
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