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FAI Cup: Dundalk FC 8-0 Castlebar Celtic


Dundalk secured their place in the FAI Cup quarter-finals with a comprehensive 8-0 victory over Castlebar Celtic at Oriel Park on Saturday evening.




Ciarán Kilduff's side dominated throughout and the final shot count of 43-0 highlighted the gulf between the teams, with Castlebar Celtic unable to live with Dundalk's fitness, movement and attacking quality.

The breakthrough arrived after nine minutes when Cian Dillon calmly converted from the penalty spot after Harry Groome was brought down by Brian Walsh. Dundalk doubled their advantage just two minutes later as Bobby Burns reacted quickest to Luke Mulligan's cross from the right and fired home with his weaker right foot.

Castlebar goalkeeper Stefan Hester produced a string of saves to prevent the scoreline from escalating further, but Dundalk grabbed a third goal three minutes before the interval. Leo Gaxha flicked on Declan McDaid's corner and Mulligan was on hand to finish from close range.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Leo Gaxha got on the scoresheet in the 59th minute when he converted Burns' corner from close range before Mulligan struck again three minutes later after Hester's clearance fell kindly into his path.

Dillon added his second and Dundalk's sixth in the 67th minute with an excellent turn and finish before being replaced shortly afterwards. Substitute Aaron Keogh made it 7-0 five minutes later after combining well with Gaxha, while Danny Mullen completed the rout in the 80th minute following a defensive error.

The only sour note for Dundalk came when Mullen suffered an injury while scoring his goal. With all substitutions already used, the hosts were forced to see out the closing stages with ten men.

Dundalk: Cherrie (Safaei 69); Mulligan, Cornwall (Ferguson 77), Vassenin, Spaight; Dervin (Keogh 60), Burns; McDaid, Groome (Casey 69), Gaxha; Dillon (Mullen 69).

Castlebar Celtic: Hester; Cunningham, Coyne, O'Reilly, B. Walsh, McDermott (Tighe 72); Brennan (Edwards 56), B. Murphy (Mahon HT), Cocozza; A. McHale (Kelly HT), O. Murphy (Hunt HT).

Referee: Oliver Moran (Dublin).


Photo: Kristine Lubimova

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