Byrne keeps Dundalk dream alive
DUNDALK proved they are genuine title contenders with a precious but tense victory win at Oriel Park last night. Manager Stephen Kenny has been spearheading their challenge for the Airtricity League crown in just his first season in charge of the border club and last night he had Kurtis Byrne to thank for nicking three points against a lively Bray side. Dundalk remain in second place, just three points shy of leaders St Patrick’s Athletic, and four clear of reigning champions Sligo Rovers in third. Byrne scored the allimportant goal three minutes into the secondhalf, but Dundalk endured an extremely anxious finale to the game as Bray kept piling forward for an equaliser and the referee played four minutes of extra-time. Early on, it took a terrific save by Peter Cherrie to foil his former teammates Jason Byrne and Dean Zambra while the dangerous Kieran Marty Waters frayed the nerves of the home support even more with his own effort. Pat Devlin’s visitors finished the first half on top with Waters twice striking the woodwork in as many minutes and it looked like they were on cue to take a result back to Wicklow. However, the winning goal arrived just after half-time and it was completely against the run of play, given Bray’s dominance in the first half. Dundalk’s Patrick Hoban picked out his striking partner in space just outside the 18-yard box and Byrne set himself up to unleash a rasping drive that goalkeeper Darren Quigley got hands to, but couldn’t prevent entering the top corner of the Bray Wanderers net.