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Dundalk FC 5-0 Waterford FC
- Colm Murphy
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Dundalk recorded their first win of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division campaign in emphatic style with a convincing 5–0 victory over Waterford at Oriel Park on Friday night.
With another magnificent attendance at Oriel, Dundalk finally got the win that their performances deserved, and dominated the match from start to finish.
The victory was tempered somewhat by concern for goalkeeper Conor Kearns, who was stretchered from the field and taken to hospital following a second-half incident that resulted in an extended stoppage.
Dundalk started brightly and nearly went ahead inside two minutes. After Stephen McMullan failed to fully deal with a Bobby Burns delivery into the box, McDaid struck the post after his first effort had been saved by the Waterford goalkeeper.
Waterford responded soon afterwards and created an opportunity of their own when Tommy Lonergan forced Kearns into a save.
The home side continued to press forward, with Burns sending an effort over the bar from distance before Harry Groome worked space on the edge of the area but also fired over.
The breakthrough arrived on the half-hour mark. Horgan delivered a precise cross from the right and Teahan rose between two defenders to head home from close range and give Dundalk the lead.
Horgan threatened again soon afterwards but dragged his effort wide, while at the other end Jorgen Voilas found room but was unable to trouble Kearns.
Dundalk doubled their advantage three minutes before the break. After Tyreke Wilson had curled an effort just over the crossbar, Horgan threaded a magnificent pass through to McDaid, who showed great composure to score with a beautiful lob over McMullan and make it 2–0.
Burns was lively again at the start of the second half, keeping the ball in play on the left before delivering a cross for Danny Mullen, whose header was directed straight at McMullan.
Just before the hour mark Horgan forced another routine save from the Waterford goalkeeper.
At the other end, Kearns produced an excellent fingertip stop to deny Conor Carty. However, the Dundalk goalkeeper suffered what appeared to be a serious knee injury in the process and required lengthy treatment before being taken to hospital.
When play resumed following the delay, Dundalk quickly extended their lead. McMullan made initial saves from Horgan and Teahan in quick succession, but Horgan reacted quickest to finish the rebound and make it 3–0.
The hosts continued to create chances and soon added a fourth. Substitutes Gbemi Arubi and Kenny combined well, with Kenny finding space between two defenders before guiding a neat finish into the bottom corner.
Veteran goalkeeper Peter Cherrie, introduced after the injury to Kearns, was called into action late on and produced a good save from Luke Heeney.
Dundalk were not finished there. Seven minutes into a lengthy period of added time, Horgan’s low cross created an opening that led to an Aodh Dervin effort, and Kenny was on hand to apply the finishing touch and complete a comprehensive 5–0 victory.
Dundalk FC: Conor Kearns (Peter Cherrie 85); Tyreke Wilson, Mayowa Animasahun, Conor O’Keeffe, Bobby Burns; Harry Groome (Aodh Dervin 74), Keith Buckley; Declan McDaid (Eoin Kenny 88), Ronan Teahan (Shane Tracey 90+9), Daryl Horgan; Danny Mullen (Gbemi Arubi 88).
Waterford FC: Stephen McMullan; Jorgen Voilas (Trae Coyle HT), Cian Barrett (Sam Glenfield HT), Hayden Cann, Ronan Mansfield, Jesse Dempsey; Dean McMenamy (Evan McLaughlin 61), Luke Heeney; Conan Noonan; Conor Carty, Tommy Lonergan (Padraig Amond 61).
Referee: Marc Lynch.
