Michael Duffy proved to be the hero for Dundalk as a match destined for a 0-0 draw was turned on its head with a moment of brilliance.
The former Derry City winger slotted under Peter Cherrie to give Dundalk the win and to keep the party on hold for
Michael Duffy proved to be the hero for Dundalk as a match destined for a 0-0 draw was turned on its head with a moment of brilliance.
The former Derry City winger slotted under Peter Cherrie to give Dundalk the win and to keep the party on hold for Cork City. The first half was a game of testing the oppositions defences and keepers and neither side could test the goalkeepers with real merit.
Aaron Greene had a speculative shot go over the bar while a quick free kick was sent into David McMillan with only Peter Cherrie to beat but it went over. McMillan turned two defenders inside out moments later and hit a low shot at Cherrie who stopped it with his feet.
Cherrie was magnificent throughout the game and was unlucky not to come out with a clean sheet. The turning point in the game came in the 60th minute when Bray Wanderers were reduced to 10 men. In very quick succession Ryan Brennan received a yellow card and the referee quickly brandished a second yellow for him to be sent off.
What followed was a Dundalk onslaught on the Bray goal with Sheilds, McGrath, McMillan and Benson going close.
The deadlock was finally broken when Duffy broken down the left hand side, cut inside his man and slotted it cooly under an onrushing Cherrie to send Oriel in raptures.
Dundalk will want to keep the winning momentum going in order to keep the confidence high for the FAI Cup Final but the big story of the night was the excellent performances of Dundalk's under 19 players who featured tonight showing the future is bright here in Dundalk, Kenny's new crop of players are the ones to look out for.
