Dundalk hit four as they click into gear

DUNDALK put their injury problems behind them to get their season firmly up and running with a comprehensive victory over Waterford at Oriel Park last night. Chris Shields and Michael Duffy are the latest key figures on the treatment table, with head coach Vinny Perth forced to field an entirely different midfield to the one which started the season opener against Sligo Rovers. Nevertheless, first-half strikes from Pat Hoban and Sean Murray, added to by first goals for the club from Daniel Kelly and Cameron Dummigan in the second half, ensured victory to leave the Lilywhites with the same number of points on the board as at the same stage of last season. After a lively start, Dundalk took the lead on eight minutes when Murray’s ball in from the left was met by the head of Hoban, who stooped to head past Hugo Keto. Waterford had a great chance to level on 36 minutes when JJ Lunney pulled the ball back from the left to Aaron Drinan, whose scuffed effort was cleared by Daniel Cleary. Dundalk then marched upfield to double their advantage when Murray seized on a loose ball to fire low and hard into the net. Any hopes the visitors had of turning things around were ended by a third Dundalk goal on 57 minutes — Kelly finishing off a fine sharp move involving Sean Gannon and Jamie McGrath. Dundalk pushed for a fourth and it arrived when substitute Dummigan rifled home after a Georgie Kelly shot was blocked in the 90th minute.