Dundalk must beat Cork City in their title deciding end of season fixture at Oriel Park last night if they are to claim the Premier Division title.
Friday night’s 1-1 draw with Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds, coupled with the Rebels’ 1-0 win at home to Bohemians, means it is win at all costs for Stephen Kenny’s side this week.
Rain and wind battered the seaside venue before kick-off making this game a real lottery and a difficult task was made that much harder when former Lilywhite David Cassidy fired the home side in front inside the opening 30 seconds.
Dundalk did their best to get back in the game but goalkeeper Stephen McGuinness was in fine form to deny both Daryl Horgan and Darren Meenan before the break.
Pat Hoban did manage to pull a goal back shortly after the hour mark when he swept home a cross from Meenan but the visitors struggled to get the ball forward after that in the difficult conditions with Bray looking the more likely winners in the end.
That means Dundalk were knocked off the summit for the first time since early May and makes Friday’s home tie with Cork a must win.
Bray Wanderers: Stephen McGuinness; Eric McGill, David Webster (capt), Niall Cooney, Michael Barker; Jake Kelly (Philly Hughes, 89’), Owen Rossi, Graham Kelly, Dean Zambra, Adam Hanlon; David Cassidy; David Scully. Subs not used: Gavin Sheridan, Ryan Swan, Shane O’Connor, Gareth McDonagh, Robert Maloney.
Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; Sean Gannon (Stephen O’Donnell, 62’), Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle (capt), Dane Massey; Chris Shields (Donal McDermott, 88’), Richie Towell; Darren Meenan, Kurtis Byrne (John Mountney, 45’), Daryl Horgan; Pat Hoban. Subs not used: Gabriel Sava, Ruaidhri Higgins, Mark Griffin, Mark Rossiter.
Referee: Dave McKeon
