DROGS SUFFER DALK NIGHT OF THE SOUL

WHAT is seldom was certainly wonderful for two goal Darragh Leahy at Oriel Park last night as Dundalk ultimately cruised to derby success.

This 54th victory for the Lilywhites in the 99th league meeting between the great Louth rivals further energises Stephen O’donnell’s side’s quest for European football next year.

For left full Leahy, the glory was more immediate for he had not found the net since 2018 when he scored for Bohemians against Galway United in the FAI Cup and stunned Shamrock Rovers with an injury time Premier Division strike at Tallaght Stadium.

Leahy struck either side of the interval with Pat Hoban (above) adding the third from a hotly disputed 58th minute penalty and substitute John Martin confidently beating Sam Long with an injury time effort following Ryan Brennan’s 87th minute reply.

One of the few moments of quality in the first half produced Dundalk’s breakthrough goal in the 39th minute.

Darragh Nugent’s foul on Daniel Kelly 28 yards from goal earned the Drogheda midfielder a yellow card and presented Ward with the opportunity to strike the crossbar with a stunning curling set piece.

Leahy hungrily pounced on the rebound to head home from seven yards.

Ward was key to Dundalk’s third goal in the 58th minute when his low cross was handled low at close range by Keith Cowan with Patrick Hoban rifling his low spot kick home.

How the Drogheda defender was supposed to get his arm out of what was a completely natural position without instant on-pitch surgery is something that only the man in the middle can explain. By this stage United were already two goals down with Leahy having ghosted in unmarked at the far post to slide home Lewis Macari’s low cross from the right in the 51st minute.

Hoban’s spot kick threatened to open the sluice gates at the Town End goal with Daniel Kelly denied a spectacular volleyed goal from Ward’s delightful cross.

Sloggett’s fine evening’s work was almost rewarded by a fourth goal when keeper Sam Long needed to be alert to tip his cross over the bar in the 75th minute.

United’s belated response gave Dundalk a few anxious moments and sloppy defending allowed Dylan Grimes to tee up Ryan Brennan for an 87th minute consolation goal.

But Dundalk had the final word of the evening with Martin’s cool low finish restoring their three goal winning margin.