Five-star run answers the critics after RSC defeat
SSE AIRTRICITY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
THEY say the cream always rises to the top and so it has proved over the last fortnight.
When Dundalk lost away to Waterford FC three weeks ago things were pretty tight at the top and, not for the first time, question marks were raised about the Lilywhites after the season-ending injury to captain Stephen O’Donnell.
Since then the club have played five matches in the space of 14 days and taken a maximum 15 points from them.
It’s a run that, alongside Cork City’s form, means we’re in for another two-horse race between the two old rivals once again this season and just as in years gone by it may be a case of who blinks first or who can edge the head to head battles to determine who is celebrating come the end of October.
There’s a long way to go in this season with the distraction of Europe still to come but Dundalk have shown once again their ability to deal with a marathon period. It has also coincided with a few new players really coming to the fore. Marco Tagbajumi now has two goals in his last two matches, Krisztián Adorján also broke his duck in that run, Dean Jarvis conjured up his first two assists of the season on Friday night and just as Stephen Kenny had called for players across the pitch are stepping up to become real leaders.
Some of those were on the scoresheet against Bray on Friday night. The struggles of the Seagulls have been well documented this season but this game could not have went much worse for them. Rumours persisted and weren’t rejected before kick-off that the players weren’t paid that day, their bus arrived later than hoped for to Oriel Park and then they lost young substitute Andrew McGovern to a sickening leg break late on to compound a miserable day for the club.
Taking all that into account there was almost an air of disappointment around Oriel Park that Dundalk only scored five goals but you still only get three points for a win and this latest success means the club now sit on 46 points - the same number they had after 20 matches of the title-winning campaigns of 2014 and 2016. Hopefully that’s a good omen for what is to come as the recent period of matches has appeared to have bonded this group closer together.
While Friday night was a walk in the park at times, almost played at pre-season pace, there is evidence of steam being built up and if the side can keep this up into the break and beyond then it will be difficult to stop the Lilywhite juggernaut.
The home side were on top right from the off with Daniel Cleary and Hoban heading over inside the opening five minutes before Robbie Benson blazed over from close range four minutes later.
Bray did half a half chance moments later when Daniel Kelly got a rare shot away but Gary Rogers was equal to it.
The opening goal then arrived in the 13th minute. Cleary’s ball from left to right released Sean Hoare whose cross was helped on by Dylan Connolly into the path of Hoban who slotted home his 13th goal of the season.
Within two minutes it was 2-0 with Hoban repaying the favour to Connolly by teeing him up for a shot from just outside the box which he netted off the inside of the left hand upright.
Dundalk had numerous chances to add to their tally after that with Hoban hitting the outside of the post before McGrath crashed into the side-netting.
The third goal did arrive on 39 minutes though. Hoare was once again involved as his ball from the right was allowed drop over the head of Conor Kenna to Michael Duffy, whose first time volley was saved by Evan Moran but Jamie McGrath was on hand to slot home the rebound for what his 10th goal for the club.
The home side went in search of a fourth right from the restart with Duffy and Connolly going close before it finally arrived on 61 minutes when Hoban headed in his second from a Dean Jarvis cross.
Ronan Murray then rattled the crossbar before fellow Cleary had a header off the line by Dragos Mamaliga.
The fifth goal did arrive on 76 minutes when Jarvis teed up Marco Tagbajumi to convert his second goal in as many matches.
The game was to end on a sour note though with McGovern departing in an ambulance after an awkward coming together with his own team-mate Sean Heaney.
Murray would hit the bar again deep in added time before Tagbajumi headed over from the rebound. It was job done for Dundalk who after a tough run of matches now have a week to prepare for a trip to Tallaght on Friday.