Dundalk FC :: Match Reports

Dundalk FC 3-0 Monaghan United// 13 March 2008 // Oriel Park

A Robbie Martin double shot title favourites Dundalk to the top of the eircom League of Ireland First Division standings for 24 hours, as the Lilywhites ran out convincing 3-0 winners against near neighbours Monaghan United, in the opening local derby of the year at Oriel Park on Thursday night. The 25-year-old, making his home debut, struck in both halves and either side of a David Cassidy goal, as Dundalk hit the summit for the first time this season.

Martin opened the scoring early on in fortuitous circumstances as he chased down a clearance from visiting ‘keeper Brendan Kennedy, with the ball rebounding off the striker’s face and into the net. The ex-UCD goal machine could have made it two soon after as he drilled wide, before fellow Oriel debutant Cassidy doubled the hosts’ lead just before the break with a neat finish after good build-up play by Jamie Duffy. A quiet second-half saw Dundalk move into cruise control as Monaghan rarely threatened, with Martin’s late cracker capping an impressive win.

Dundalk manager John Gill started with a line-up showing three changes to the one which drew at Shelbourne last Friday, as goalkeeper Aaron Shanahan and defenders Ian Ryan and Shane Grimes replaced the suspended duo of Chris Bennion and Aidan Lynch, as well as injured centre-half Ben Whelehan. As a result, John Flanagan carried the captain’s armband. Monaghan included ex-Lilywhite James Hand in their first XI, as he lined-out on the left side of midfield.

After a quiet beginning, which saw Monaghan pressure the home side without threatening goal, Dundalk took the lead out of nowhere on eight minutes. A pass-back to ‘keeper Kennedy proved a poor decision, as the netminder saw his clearance charged down by Martin, whose endeavour paid off as the ball rebounded off him and into the Monaghan net. It was Martin’s very first goal for the club, and he went close to doubling his tally just four minutes later, as he saw his shot blocked inside the area.

Just after the quarter-hour, Monaghan ventured out of their half in search of an equaliser, however, a good cross from the right was well defended by Ryan, whose intervention thwarted the plans of the in-rushing Philip Sheppard. On 25 minutes, Robbie Farrell had an effort on target, however, his header was easily gathered following a Paul Shiels cross, before Martin should have made it two just shy of the half-hour. A Duffy delivery from the right went straight across the face of goal, with Farrell failing to connect by only inches in the small rectangle, before his strike partner was also unable to convert at the far post as he drilled his shot high and wide from six-yards.

Shortly before the break, a mix-up in the visiting defence allowed Dundalk in again. Farrell picked up possession just outside the box, however, his shot was deflected away, before Martin saw his 20-yard effort gathered by Kennedy. Martin had another opportunity seconds later, however, this time, the Leixlip-born star had the ball taken off his toe as he aimed to pull the trigger.

Dundalk didn’t have long to wait for the doubler, however, as they made it 2-0 with just seconds to go to the break. Duffy made a strong run from his own half down the right flank, before cutting inside and crossing. A clever dummy by Farrell allowed the ball run to Cassidy, who made no mistake with the finish, as he slotted home from 12-yards.

Following the resumption, fans were treated to a quieter half of football, as Dundalk searched for the killer third, against a Monaghan side which lacked any kind of penetration. It wasn’t until almost twenty minutes into the second period that the first opportunity came, as Davie O’Connor played in the impressive Shane Grimes, whose shot from close-range was saved by Kennedy.

Monaghan’s sole chance of the entire game came on 72 minutes as Eoin Lannigan saw his attempted long-range lob gathered on the line by stand-in ‘keeper Aaron Shanahan, before Dundalk should have netted another two minutes later. Tireless running by Martin once again paid off as he robbed the Monaghan defence on the edge of their own area, before beating his man and pulling the ball back for substitute, Trevor Vaughan. Trevez was unable to find the net, however, as his 12-yard effort went agonisingly wide.

Duffy then created a chance all on his own, however, his shot failed to match the build-up as it trickled wide of goal, before the winger released Smyth moments later with a beautiful cross-field ball. Again, however, Dundalk were unable to convert, as Kennedy saved a weak shot once more.

The home side weren’t to be denied, however, and they found their third of the evening on 87 minutes. Smyth played a nice ball into Martin, and the striker made no mistake with the finish, as he took the pass in his stride before planting the ball in the net from the edge of the box. Further goals could have been added in the final minutes, however, Dundalk will be delighted with a result which sets their title challenge in motion.

dundalkfc.com Man of the Match: ROBBIE MARTIN (Dundalk)…Highlighted last week by dundalkfc.com as the ‘One to Watch’ in the season ahead, Robbie Martin shone on his Oriel Park debut. His tireless work-rate and precision passing had been evident throughout pre-season, and after hitting the crossbar at Shelbourne last week, the 25-year-old finally got his just rewards here. His willingness to work earned him his first goal in Dundalk colours as he charged down a defensive clearance, while, after causing the visiting defence problems all evening, Martin eventually doubled his tally late on with an unstoppable shot. An excellent all-round performance from start to finish by a potentially lethal weapon - this early double could bring the confidence necessary to find Dundalk its new ‘Goal King’.