Dundalk refuse to back down in title race
SSE AIRTRICITY LEAGUE
9 David McMillan 6 (Ubaezuono 56) 6 Stephen O’Donnell 6 YC71 (O’Connor 61) 7 Michael Duffy 6 (Connolly 80)
22 Gabriel Sava 29 Jack O’Keefe 27 Dean Waters 31 James Woods
Referee
Paul Tuite (Dublin).
Attendance
626
STATISTICS MAN-OF-THE-MATCH
On a day when it was difficult to shine, Brian Gartland’s experience told as he proved a key player at both ends in Dundalk’s victory. Bar an early lapse where a mix up between himself and Gary Rogers presented a chance to Eddie Dsane, Gartland was a rock at the back for Stephen Kenny’s side as they thwarted a Harps side that needed a result to help in their battle against relegation. Gartland is effective at both ends and his goal on 66 minutes proved a pivotal moment in the game in what was a difficult match to play in for bohh sides.
TALKINGPOINT
Unfortunately the issue of RTÉ coverage raised its head again at Finn Park on Saturday with Harps seeing their crowd greatly reduced as a result of the earlier kick-off time and live TV coverage. Between this game and their previous home match against Cork City that was also broadcast recently, the Ballybofey outfit estimate they have lost a five figure sum in revenue from games. While that is difficult for any side to stomach, it is particularly taxing on those at the other end of the table. The days of RTÉ being able to dictate fixtures without paying compensation to clubs really needs to end if the league is ever to improve.
HOWTHEYSTAND
P Cork City 29 Dundalk 30 Shamrock Rvrs 30 Derry City 29 Bray Wdrs 30 Bohemians 30 Limerick 30 St. Pat’s Ath 30 Sligo Rovers 30 Galway United 30 Finn Harps 30 Drogheda Utd 30 W 23 20 16 13 12 12 9 8 7 7 9 4 D 2 3 2 7 7 4 9 10 13 12 3 6 L 4 7 12 9 11 14 12 12 10 11 18 20 F 64 67 46 45 54 32 37 39 29 39 32 19 A 19 20 38 36 50 39 47 48 43 43 58 62 Pt 71 63 50 46 43 40 36 34 34 33 30 18 IN the same week that Tom Petty passed away Dundalk gave their own version of ‘I Won’t Back Down’ in Ballybofey on Saturday evening to ensure the title race is kept alive for at least another weekend.
Stephen Kenny’s side knew when they made the trip to Finn Park that anything short of victory would hand the title to Cork City.
For long periods of this game, it looked like such a scenario could emerge but through sheer dogged determination Dundalk managed to grind out a hard fought win to ensure that if Cork, as expected, are to lift the title then they will have to do so on their own terms.
Five changes from the FAI Cup tie with Shamrock Rovers, including a league debut for Jake O’Connor and first league start for Carlton Ubaezuono, meant that the Lilywhites were already facing a tough challenge.
However, their cause wasn’t helped by a pitch that is by far and away the worst in the League of Ireland. The surface at Finn Park is heavy, boggy and had been brought in significantly at either side to try and prevent Dundalk hurting Harps on the flanks.
It worked for a long period too with the visitors struggling to make even the most basic of runs at times due to the bobbly nature of the surface.
Finn Harps had added incentive to push for the win themselves given their current battle against relegation and arguably should have been ahead at the break as Eddie Dsane missed an open goal.
It was always going to take a moment of magic for Dundalk to make the breakthrough and it eventually arrived in the 66th minute when a move off the training ground saw Brian Gartland head home from Jamie McGrath’s corner.
By that stage Kenny, who had rested some of his more experienced players with one eye on Tuesday’s FAI Cup replay with Shamrock Rovers, had brought on David McMillan and Stephen O’Donnell and that proved telling in the end as McGrath ensured the win with the last kick of the game in stoppage time with a neat chip of Ciaran Gallagher.
It was the sort of performance that reminded you of just why this side were three in-a-row champions to begin with. While we’ve all been spoiled by some of the football played by this Dundalk side in recent years, they’ve always had the ability to win the ugly games too and it was good to see that hasn’t changed.
The visitors had started brightly with Robbie Benson headed wide from Dylan Connolly’s cross on five minutes before Gallagher made a super save to keep out Thomas Stewart’s effort 13 minutes later following another Connolly cross.
Finn Harps could and should have been ahead on 24 minutes though when a mix up at the back saw Gartland pass the ball past the outrushing Gary Rogers. The loose ball then fell to Dsane but with a virtual empty net to aim for he opened his right foot up too much and put it wide.
Five minutes later at the other end Dundalk had a big chance of their own when Ubaezuono got in on goal but he was denied at point blank range by Gallagher at the expense of a corner.
Harps arguably shaded the closing period of the half with Sean Hoare doing well to get across and block an effort from Gareth Harkin on 40 minutes after a good burst forward from midfield.
Dundalk did up the ante slightly in the second half and could have been ahead within two minutes of the restart when Sean Gannon’s shot was spilled by Gallagher, who did well to save at the second attempt before Stewart could finish.
Dundalk then took the lead in somewhat controversial circumstances on 66 minutes. Ollie Horgan’s side were convinced that Sean Houston had been fouled by O’Donnell in midfield with a tackle that led to McGrath having a shot deflect wide off Killian Cantwell.
Then from the resulting corner McGrath floated the ball to the back post where Gartland was on hand to head home.
Harps pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages and almost found it on 82 minutes when Mark Timlin’s free was headed on by Cantwell, with Rogers having to claw the ball away to safety.
Dundalk had a great chance of their own with a minute to go when O’Donnell floated a free onto the head of Michael Duffy, whose effort was brilliantly tipped over by Gallagher.
There was one last chance for Harps deep in stoppage time when the ball broke to Damien McNulty at the edge of the area but he blazed over.
Dundalk then broke downfield and with literally the last kick of the game McGrath ensured the win with a neat dink over Gallagher after being played in on the right.
It ensured the champagne remains on ice in Cork.
Dundalk are not giving up their title easily.
The outcome of the title race might be an inevitability but the nature of this result will stand to Dundalk when they travel to Tallaght on Tuesday for what should be another battle.
Perhaps it’s an omen that Petty recorded ‘I Won’t Back Down’ in 1988 when Dundalk were FAI Cup winners. The title looks highly unlikely but victory over Rovers on Tuesday and another win in the Aviva next month could make this a successful year yet.