Dundalk claimed a spot in the quarter finals of the 2020 FAI Cup with a 2-0 victory over Cobh Ramblers at St Colmans Park in Cobh.
In Filippo Giovagnoli’s first game in charge his side came out on top in a tight affair with the First Division side.
A groin strain for Pat Hoban just before the kick off gave David McMillan a start for the lilywhites.
The game started at a fast pace and both sides were a bit off the pace in getting used to the poor pitch.
The first goal of the day came in the first half when Michael Duffy put in Dane Massey at the edge of the box for Dundalk and the Dubliner fired his effort into the roof of the net.
Cobh were pressing Dundalk hard in the first half which was evident with the multiple errors at the back from the Dundalk defenders but Cobh couldn’t find the net with any of the chances.
Dundalk stepped up a gear in the second half and the introduction of Daniel Kelly & John Mountney re-energised the away side.
Seconds after coming on, Kelly made two runs around the left back Lee Devitt and put brilliant balls into the box but a Dundalk head couldn’t reach either.
Only moments after Kelly raced at the Cobh defence and was taken down for a penalty which David McMillan put away for his first goal since returning to the club and put his side through to the next round of the cup.
Dundalk go 2-0 with a penalty from David McMillan pic.twitter.com/opRRHZSTMh
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Giovagnoli will be happy with the progression into the next round but will need to work to improve his sides defending and composure at the back if his side is to challenge domestically and in Europe.
