Dundalk made the most of a night off for Shamrock Rovers as they saw off Sligo Rovers at Oriel Park. A John Mountney hat-trick, supplemented by a Patrick Hoban spot-kick put an end to Rovers’ seven-game unbeaten run as the Lilywhites opened up a th
In a night that Dundalk needed to show whether this season was well and truly over or not was answered.
A hat trick from the very impressive Jamie McGrath, a goal from Niclas Vemmelund and an impressive return from Robbie Benson compounded misery on Sligo Rovers.
The first half was a quiet one with little chances of note but the home side needed to show its Oriel Park faithful something to reignite the season. McMillan came close only for a superb stop from Schlingermann and Sligo did have the ball in the net only only for it to be denied for a foul.
The second half burst into life with the deadlock breaking after 56 minutes, McEleney passed a through ball to McGrath to set him free and he slotted it under Schlingermann to send Oriel alive. It was a well taken goal from the Maynooth student.
The second goal came in 71 minutes with a brilliant cross from Michael Duffy and Jamie McGrath took it down on the edge of the area with his chest and slammed it home. With everyone seemingly content with a two goal win, Dundalk showed their teeth in the final minutes with two more to add misery to Sligo's woes.
Niclas Vemmelund headed home from close range from a corner to make it three and seconds later Dundalk got a penalty. McGrath slotted it home to earn his first hat trick for the club, his three goals and gave Dundalk a much needed win in this Premier Division campaign.
