Latest news with #SSEAirtricityMen'sFirstDivision
Irish Independent
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Ebbe and Kenny back on target as Dundalk FC put four past Longford to seal another league win
SSE Airtricity Men's First Division Dundalk 4 Longford Town 1 Dean Ebbe and Eoin Kenny scored their first goals at Oriel Park since March to once again put Longford Town to the sword to ensure Dundalk remain six points clear at the top of the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division table. Neither player had been on target since the 2-1 victory over the Midlanders almost five months ago but their efforts on Monday, coupled with a first goal for his new club for Declan McDaid, ensured that Ciarán Kilduff's side remain six points clear of Cobh Ramblers in the race for automatic promotion to the top flight. Related topics Dundalk FC
Irish Examiner
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Dundalk hit four past Longford Town to remain top of First Division
SSE Airtricity Men's First Division: Dundalk 4 Longford Town 1 Dean Ebbe and Eoin Kenny scored their first goals at Oriel Park since March to once again put Longford Town to the sword to ensure Dundalk remain six points clear at the top of the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division table. Neither player had been on target since the 2-1 victory over the Midlanders almost five months ago but their efforts, coupled with a first goal for his new club for Declan McDaid, ensured that Ciarán Kilduff's side remain six points clear of Cobh Ramblers in the race for automatic promotion to the top flight. The home side were on top from the off with Aodh Dervin hitting the post inside five minutes before turning provider for his side's opener on 15 minutes when he teed Kenny up on the edge of the box for a shot that flew high to the net past Harry Halwax, who moments earlier had denied Rohan Vaughan with his feet. Dean Ebbe, second from right, celebrates with teammates, from left, Mayowa Animasahun, Eoin Kenny, and Daryl Horgan after scoring. Picture: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile The Co Louth men then doubled their lead on 34 minutes with Kenny once again at the heart of it as he burst past six Longford players to drive into the box. His eventual left-foot shot was weak but was seized upon by Ebbe, who slid in to squeeze the ball to the bottom right hand corner. It looked like it would be a comfortable three points for the league leaders when Ebbe added a third on the hour mark with a close range finish after Vinnie Leonard had headed down Keith Ward's corner but Longford set up a nervy few moments when Oisin Hand headed Kyle Robinson's corner to the net on 78 minutes. Mohammed Boudiaf then hit the post before Daniel Norris also went close for Wayne Groves' side but the three points were ensured when McDaid bundled in Kenny's cross five minutes from time. DUNDALK: Cherrie; Wilson, Animasahun (O'Keeffe 74), Leonard, Tracey; Dervin, Ward (Groome 74); Kenny, Ebbe (McDaid 62), Horgan (Paraschiv 62); R Vaughan (Arubi 81). LONGFORD TOWN: Halwax; Irhue (Topcu 36), Hand, Yoro (Spain 6), O'Shea; Manuel (Robinson 66), Moore; George (Murtagh 66), Norris, Boudiaf; Campbell (Ugbesia 66). Referee: Darragh White.
RTÉ News
01-08-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
First Division: Horgan's spot-kick enough for Dundalk
Daryl's Horgan's expertly taken penalty deep in first-half stoppage time livened up a dull game as Dundalk maintained their lead at the top of the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division with the slenderest of wins. The Galwayman gave a glimpse about why he was rewarded with 17 caps as he gave Students keeper Dara Kavanagh the eyes before slotting the ball calmly into the opposite corner. Dundalk remain six points clear at the top, but they were made to work for it as Enda Minogue saved Adam Brennan's late penalty to secure a vital win. The visitors were the first to threaten and Andy Paraschiv left Kavanagh in no man's land as he nodded Declan McDaid's centre back across goal, but his looping header came back off the post. UCD hit back with a promising move of their own as Adam Wells ducked in from the right and knuckled a shot from 20 yards but it lacked the swerve to trouble Minogue in the Lilywhites goal. Ciarán Behan then slipped Mikey Raggett through in the box but, tracked by centre half Vinnie Leonard, he pulled his shot into the near side netting It was UCD's turn to test the woodwork then as they awarded a free kick 20 yards out when Leonard's centre back partner Mayowa Animasahun clumsily chopped down Raggett. Adam Verdon stepped up and sent a powerful curling shot over the wall and over the outstretched arm of Minogue that crashed back off the bar, and Behan put the rebound wide. Little else of consequence happened until injury time when Animasahun went from cartoon villain to hero as he went down softly following what appeared to be a shirt pull. The Students complained vociferously but ex-Preston North End and Hibernian man Horgan had no such quibbles and slotted the ball calmly into the left corner. Dundalk dominated a second half without many clear chances, Gbemi Arubi finding Kavanagh with a tame effort before McDaid stung the keeper's palms from range. Éanna Clancy strode forward and tested Minogue from 20 yards and Verdon saw his effort tipped over as the home side reverted to a more attacking formation. And their endeavour was rewarded three minutes from time as McManus appeared to handle in the area and, following a lengthy delay, Brennan stepped up. The midfielder was hesitant, however, and Minogue anticipated his weak effort and, though Hugh Smith bundled in a subsequent shot, he was deemed offside and the goal was struck off. Elsewhere the chasing pack kept pace with Cobh Ramblers and Bray Wanderers both claiming wins that saw them avoid losing further ground to Dundalk. Bray had to do it the hard way however and it took an injury-time winner from Richard Ferizaj's to claim a 3-2 victory over Treaty United. Mark Byrne put Treaty in front early on through Mark Byrne's opener but they were reduced to ten men soon after when Steven Healy was harshly adjudged to have denied Billy O'Neill a goal scoring opportunity. Goals from Conor Knight and Cian Curtis appeared to have the Seagulls cruising but a equaliser against the run of play from Joe Hanson looks set to give Treaty a hard-fought point before Ferizaj stuck out a foot to deflect his brother Justin's shot past the goalkeeper and into the net. Cobh Ramblers had a much more straight-forward victory as a hat-trick from Shane Griffin helped them a 3-1 win at home to Longford Town. Griffin opened the scoring on 37 minutes but fans were still celebrating that goal when Daniel Norris equalised two minutes afterwards. However Cobh stepped things up in the second-half and further goals from Griffin on the 50th and 81st minute were enough to seal things. Elsewhere Kerry claimed a convincing win in the battle between the basement sides as they eased to a 4-0 victory over bottom side Athlone. First-half goals from Ronan Teahan, Sean O'Connell and Robert Cleary all but ended the game as a contest by half-time and Carl Mujaguzi's second-half strike made sure of the result. While in Ferrycarrig Park, Wexford came from behind to beat Finn Harps 2-1. UCD: Dara Kavanagh; Adam Wells, Carl Lennox, Éanna Clancy (Declan Osa gie 80), Brian McManus (Ryan McBrearty 80); Adam Verdon, Adam Brennan, Ciarán Behan (Louis Dignam 84); Mikey McCullagh (Sam Norval 80), Jake Doyle, Mikey Raggett (Hugh Smith 59). Dundalk: Enda Minogue; Conor O'Keeffe, Mayowa Animasahun, Vinnie Leonard, John Ross Wilson; Harry Groome (Eoin Kenny 67), Aodh Dervin, Andy Parashiv (Shane Tracey 79); Declan McDaid (Rohan Vaughan 79), Daryl Horgan (Keith Ward 90+3), Gbemi Arubi. (Dean Ebbe 67)
Irish Independent
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Will the failure to take their chances deny Dundalk FC regaining their Premier League status?
The Argus Today at 11:30 It's hard to think of one of the 23 games that Dundalk have played this season in the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division that they shouldn't have won such was their superiority in possession and chances created in almost all of the games. Yet they have managed just 14 wins, drawing seven and losing two - their latest their second defeat away to Bray Wanderers on Friday night.
Irish Independent
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Patience pays off as Dundalk FC put four past Kerry
While Ciarán Kilduff's side have always been the team to beat in the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division, quite often they have struggled to produce the sort of results to match their performances. Prior to their trip to Tralee on Friday, the Lilywhites had won 13 matches but just four had been by more than a goal – two by a two goal margin and two by three. Given their level of dominance in games throughout the season to date, it's somewhat surprising that it took until match day 22 to really put a team to the sword but that's what they did in Kerry. Having opened up a four point gap at the top of the table over Cobh Ramblers a week prior, this result means they now also have a four point advantage when it comes to goal difference as well. While the fact that two of the goals came in injury time to perhaps put a flattering look on the scoreline, the victory was no more than the Lilywhites deserved. While a large travelling support descended on Mounthawk Park, the trip will live longer in the memory than the game itself. In truth, this was a tough watch for a long period. Yet from a Dundalk perspective, it was another box ticked off – three points acquired and one game closer to the finish line of promotion. Perhaps post Cobh, a big win was just what the side needed. Something to put a bit of a pep in their step heading to the Carlisle Grounds to face Bray Wanderers this weekend. Leaving aside the two 4-0 wins against Malahide Utd and a Shamrock Rovers underage side in the Leinster Senior Cup, this was the biggest win of the Kilduff era and the first time that Dundalk have scored four in a game since the 4-2 victory over Drogheda Utd almost a year ago on July 12 2024. It was also the first time that the side have scored four on their travels since a 5-1 win away to UCD on the final day of the 2023 campaign. The club has changed a lot since those days but, bit by bit, they're working their way back to the top flight. This was another notable step in that direction. Both sides had chances in the early stages with Daryl Horgan curling a shot just wide from just outside the box on four minutes following good one-two with Gbemi Arubi. Kerry then registered the first shot on target a minute later when Sean McGrath got a shot away, which unfortunately for him was straight down the throat of Enda Minogue. ADVERTISEMENT After Eoin Kenny had been denied by Tim-Oliver Heimer at his near post, Dundalk then hit the front on 20 minutes. Alex Dunne's attempted pass was cut out by Harry Groome, who collected the ball before stepping inside the defender and curling a shot to the net for what was his 15th career goal and fourth against the Munster men. The visitors pressed for a second after that but Kenny's drilled cross from the right just evaded Horgan on 29 minutes while another of his balls into the box was cleared off the line by Niall Brookwell six minutes later after Dean Ebbe looked destined to score. To their credit, Colin Healy's side pushed for a way back into the game either side of half-time. On 41 minutes Kennedy Amechi's bicycle kick required a save from Minogue, while moments later Oran Crowe had a shot drift just wide. Substitute Arran Healy then had a shot blocked after Crowe's free kick had dropped to him in the box within three minutes of the restart. The outcome was largely put beyond doubt on the hour mark, however, when Ebbe released Kenny on the right, with his low shot beating Heimer at his near post for what was the 19-year-old's 10th senior career goal. Kilduff rang the changes after that with Andy Paraschiv and Keith Ward both having attempts go just wide. As the game looked to be drifting to a dull finish, Dundalk added two more goals in stoppage time. The first arrived in the 93rd minute when Ward's free kick crept to the net following a foul by Brookwell on Kenny. Still rocked from that concession, Kerry conceded another almost directly from the restart as Ebbe slipped Paraschiv in, with the teenager holding off Chris McQueen before firing home his side's fourth. The two trips to Kerry this season have been memorable for the side and its fans. All associated with Dundalk will be hoping it's a long time before they're in Tralee again though, with promotion the ultimate goal of this season. Kerry FC: Heimer; Dunne (Barrett 76), McQueen, Brookwell, Williams, O'Connell; Mujaguzi (Healy HT), Crowe; McGrath; Amechi, Palmer. Dundalk FC: Minogue; Wilson (Mulligan 81), Animasahun, Leonard, Keogh (McHale 70); Dervin, Groome (Paraschiv 70); Kenny, Ebbe, Horgan (McDaid 61); Arubi.
