Dundalk stretched their lead at the summit of the table to five points after a 3-0 win over Finn Harps at Finn Park, a repeat of the scoreline the last time the sides met at Oriel Park. Michael Duffy gave the visiting side the lead after the half ho
Dundalk stretched their lead at the summit of the table to five points after a 3-0 win over Finn Harps at Finn Park, a repeat of the scoreline the last time the sides met at Oriel Park.
Michael Duffy gave the visiting side the lead after the half hour with John Mountney doubling their lead a few minutes shy of the interval.
Harps had some good chances after the restart but lacked conviction as Brian Gartland powered home a header for the Lilywhites third of the evening.
It's now five straight defeats for Ollie Horgans men who stay rooted to the base of the table, level on points with UCD.
Both sides went into this fixture in very different form, but that did not show in the opening stages of the match.
After an early chance for Michael Duffy, Harps, on a run of four straight defeats, matched Dundalk who had six wins in a row prior to kick-off.
Patrick Hoban had the first shot on target of the encounter, meeting a cross from Duffy but Mark Anthony McGinley had safe hands in his first start.
Just shy after the half hour mark, after some consistent pressure, Dundalk took the lead. After intercepting a pass in midfield, Patrick McEleney played a long ball forward for John Mountney to chase down the right, the latter crossed the ball in and Michael Duffy met it well, heading into the bottom right corner.
Harps, who are tormented with injuries, battled and came close to an equaliser with five minutes to go in the half. Mark Russell received a short pass on the edge of the area from Raff Cretaro and after finding space, pinged a left footed shot at Gary Rogers, it had the netminder stretching as it fizzed just over his crossbar.
The Champions lead was doubled as the half time whistle approached, Hoban played a short pass to McEleney down the right side and the former Oldham Athletic man whipped in a cross which Mountney headed home.
Harps started the second half brightly and had a number of decent chances to reduce the deficit. Raff Cretaro went closest, forcing Gary Rogers into a smart save at his near post.
Duffy had an opportunity for his teams third before the hour, meeting a Sean Gannon cross but McGinley was equal to the header.
Dundalk did get their third and 40th for the season just after the hour mark. A Duffy corner from the right was well met by Brian Gartland who headed home for his second goal of the campaign.
Harps enjoyed some late possession and chances as the game neared its end, Mikey Place had the best opportunity, firing wide after a low ball across goal from Russell.
Dan O'Reilly looked to add to his goal tally and came close with a little over ten minutes to go, striking with his weaker right foot, he forced Rogers to get a strong hand on the ball to parry the effort away.
Georgie Kelly saw a late header striker the woodwork in stoppage time as Dundalk return to Oriel Park with three points in the bag.
