An experimental Dundalk side progressed with ease to the last sixteen of the 2008 eircom League of Ireland Cup, as they brushed aside the challenge of a poor Monaghan United side by 3-0 at Oriel Park on Tuesday evening.

After plenty of pressure from the home side, the lively Jamie Duffy provided the first assist as his pinpoint cross to the back stick was met by the head of Paul Crowley, before 19-year-old Tiarnàn Mulvenna made the second all on his own as he slid the ball past Dundalk native, Danny Woods - to give the Lilywhites a two-goal lead at the break. Mulvenna then doubled his tally just after the hour-mark, before the impressive youngster was rewarded with the ‘Man of the Match’ accolade.

Dundalk’s line-up was a much changed one from the weekend as the starting XI showed a massive eight changes to the side which defeated Longford Town at Flancare Park on Saturday night. Aaron Shanahan, Stefan McKevitt, John Flanagan, Paul Crowley, Paul Marney, Paul Smyth, Tiarnàn Mulvenna and Trevor Vaughan all came into the team in place of Chris Bennion, Aidan Lynch, David Crawley, David Cassidy, Paul Shiels, Davie O’Connor, Robbie Farrell and Robbie Martin. For 20-year-old McKevitt, it was a first ever competitive appearance, while Mulvenna was starting a competitive game for the very first time in his career.

Despite the amount of changes, however, Dundalk controlled throughout the opening half, with an off-target Paul Whelan shot in the fourth minute being Monaghan’s only clear chance on goal. From there on, the hosts dominated. Just short of the quarter-hour, Vaughan had a shot from inside the area blocked behind, before Grimes’ resulting corner was cleared off the line by the covering defence after being punched up in the air by Woods.

Dundalk continued to pressure their local rivals in search of a lead goal, and they went close again soon after. Mulvenna and Vaughan combined to set Duffy away down the right, with the 24-year-old cutting inside and forcing Woods into a save. Three minutes later, Vaughan again supplied Duffy on the wing, with the Texas-born star this time crossing for Marney, whose shot was well defended at the expense of a corner.

As they continued to hold all of the possession, John Gill’s men eventually broke the deadlock on 22 minutes. Duffy was again the tormentor as he made his way down the right flank after a wonderful flowing move from Dundalk, before delivering a fantastic cross over Woods for the in-rushing Crowley to easily head home.

A Monaghan reply was not forthcoming and the hosts doubled their advantage after the half-hour, as the Oriel faithful got the goal that they had been praying for. A throw-in in their own right-back area was nipped off the toe of Ian Malone by Mulvenna inside the area, with the youngster finishing well with a low shot to Woods’ right. Five minutes before the break, Mulvenna was through again, however, this time Woods rushed to his 18-yard line to clear the ball into touch.

It wasn’t until ten minutes into the second period that Monaghan forced Shanahan into action. Firstly, a Darragh Hanaphy header from a corner was saved on the line, before the 23-year-old netminder pushed a long range drive from Brian Gartland around the post. However, despite those hints of a possible comeback, it was Dundalk who hit a killer third, as Mulvenna netted his second of the night on 63 minutes. Again in a tussle with centre-half Malone for the ball, the local star beat his man once more, before chipping superbly beyond the stranded ‘keeper.

With five minutes to go, Mulvenna had a chance for the hat-trick after being put through on goal by Paul Smyth, however, the 19-year-old saw his shot blocked away by Woods. It wasn’t to matter, though, as Dundalk - who finished the game with ten men as Mulvenna was forced off late on with cramp - sauntered to a comfortable victory in heavy fog to record their second 3-0 home win in eleven days over their near neighbours.

dundalkfc.com Man of the Match: TIARNÀN MULVENNA (Dundalk)…The 19-year-old was handed his very first competitive start for Dundalk, and he couldn’t have replied any better as he impressed with a wonderful display. Grabbed his first of the night - his second ever club goal - when dispossessing a Monaghan defender inside the visiting area before remaining calm to fire home, before netting another in the second-half with a delightful chip. Mulvenna could have found a dream hat-trick late on, however, Woods denied him in the Mons goal, before the star retired early due to cramp. Excellent performance and another welcome headache for Gill.