Georgie Kelly has now scored three match winning goals for Dundalk in recent weeks. If he keeps that form going the man from the hills of Donegal could become a cult favourite of Oriel Park as he once again proved his worth to the Lilywhites. This
A Patrick Hoban strike early in the first half was enough to set Dundalk to victory in an entertaining and attacking game in Oriel Park.
The result means that while Cork still lead by one point at the top of the SSE Airtricity League it gives Dundalk momentum going into next weeks series of games. The game was a frantic affair played in front of a large expectant Dundalk crowd and they got the price of the ticket just four minutes in.
A free kick from Ronan Murray was only parried by Mark McNulty and Patrick Hoban tapped it in from close range to give Dundalk the lead. Stephen Kenny's men went for a second and while it wasn't forthcoming it wasn't for the lack of trying.
Ronan Murray tried his luck from a free kick only for McNulty not to make the same mistake twice, Massey was next to try his luck but McNulty's reaction save was enough to send it wide. Kieran Sadlier was always a posing threat, his long range effort while was wide of the post, it made the Dundalk fans hearts skip a beat.
Duffy went close as he skipped inside and hit a low curling effort which just whistles past the post. The best chance for City fell in the 33rd minute when Gary Rogers saved a one on one with Barry McNamee and the ball fell to Sadlier to hit a goal bound effort which is blocked on the line by Cleary.
The second half saw Dundalk and Cork trade blows in a tactically astute match up as both teams tried to deliver a knock out blow. Aaron Barry's stray ball led toJamie McGrath being one on one only for McNulty to save well.
But a decisive moment came mid way through the second half when Dundalk were awarded a penalty, Benson who won the penalty stepped up to take only for it to be saved well. An amazing run by Benson to try and make up for the miss saw him on a mazy run and shot by Robbie Benson hit the side netting, While it was the last of the action, there was plenty of incident with tempers flaring but Dundalk kept their nerve to get the win.
