Horgan Seals Derby Win

Daryl Horgan was the hero for Dundalk as his dramatic 89th-minute free-kick secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Drogheda United in the fourth Louth derby of the season.

In front of 2,436 spectators at Sullivan & Lambe Park, the Lilywhites emerged with local bragging rights after a pulsating contest.

The visitors made the ideal start when summer signing Cian Dillon opened the scoring with his first Premier Division goal. The move began when Edwin Agbaje failed to deal with a ball in defence, allowing Horgan to pounce and square for the former Republic of Ireland underage international, who calmly finished to put Dundalk in front.

Despite controlling large spells of the opening half, Dundalk found themselves trailing by the interval after Drogheda struck twice in quick succession. Agbaje made amends for his earlier error by driving forward and feeding Keegan Ancelin, who fired past Enda Minogue from a tight angle. Moments later, Brandon Kavanagh produced a superb lofted effort that dropped inside the far post to give the hosts a 2-1 advantage heading into the break.

Ciaran Kilduff reacted at half-time by introducing Ronan Teahan, and the substitution paid off. The midfielder levelled matters in the second half when he met Tom Grivosti's delivery from the right with a deft flick beyond Luke Dennison.

With the game finely poised and both sides battling for the decisive moment, Dundalk found it late on. Horgan stepped up to take a free-kick in the 89th minute and beat Dennison at his near post to spark wild celebrations among the travelling support.

Drogheda United: Luke Dennison; Andrew Quinn (Jason Bucknor, 77), Conor Keeley, James Bolger; Edwin Agbaje, Alfie Bates (Ethan O'Brien, 70), Shane Farrell (Ryan Brennan, 70), Conor Kane; Brandon Kavanagh; Mark Doyle (Warren Davis, 73), Keegan Ancelin (Thomas Oluwa, 77).

Dundalk: Enda Minogue; Tom Grivosti, Mayowa Animasahun, Egor Vassenin, Bobby Burns (Rob Cornwall 90+1); Harry Groome (Shane Tracey, 56), Keith Buckley (Aodh Dervin, 56); Trevor Clarke (Ronan Teahan, 46), Leo Gaxha (Declan McDaid, 64), Daryl Horgan; Cian Dillon.

Referee: Neil Doyle.