📰 Match Report | Dundalk FC 3–3 Kerry FC

Dundalk FC
6 hours ago
3 min read

Horgan Double Not Enough As Dundalk Held In Oriel Park Thriller

Dundalk FC’s five-match winning streak came to an end on Friday night as Kerry FC earned a share of the spoils in a breathless 3–3 draw at Oriel Park.

On a night of high drama, both captains stole the headlines, with Daryl Horgan and Ronan Teahan each bagging a brace, while substitute Keith Ward was also on target for the Lilywhites. The result sees Ciarán Kilduff’s side remain unbeaten at home this season, but their lead at the top of the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division has been trimmed to six points following Cobh Ramblers’ win at Athlone Town.

First Half: Kerry Strike Twice As Dundalk Chase Game

After a cagey opening, Kerry stunned the home support with the game’s first real chance on 22 minutes. Teahan drove into the box, skipped past Luke Mulligan and drilled a low finish beyond Enda Minogue at his near post.

Dundalk responded through Gbemi Arubi, who forced Matthew Connor into a smart save after being slipped in by Aodh Dervin, while teenager Mulligan went close after meeting an Arubi cross.

Parity arrived on 41 minutes. Arubi broke free and was bundled over by Connor inside the box, leaving Horgan to smash home the resulting penalty for his fifth goal in as many games.

But Oriel Park had barely settled when Kerry regained the lead less than a minute later. Ewan Lee’s teasing cross found Robbie Cleary, who nipped in ahead of Minogue to nod home and send the visitors in 2–1 up at the break.

Second Half: End-To-End Chaos

Kilduff’s half-time changes paid dividends almost instantly. Within two minutes of the restart, Ward, introduced alongside Conor O’Keeffe and Norman Garbett, delivered a pinpoint cross that Horgan turned in for his second of the night.

Once again, however, Dundalk were undone almost immediately. Teahan picked up possession 30 yards out and unleashed a thunderous strike that deceived Minogue and flew into the net to restore Kerry’s lead at 3–2.

The rollercoaster continued on 52 minutes. A flowing move saw Horgan and Ward combine brilliantly, the substitute dinking a clever finish over Connor to level matters at 3–3.

Dundalk Push, Kerry Hold Firm

With momentum on their side, the Lilywhites pressed hard for a winner. Horgan was twice denied by Connor, Ward fired narrowly over, and substitute Rohan Vaughan saw a late strike blocked by Niall Brookwell.

Dean Ebbe was also thwarted by Connor in the closing stages, while appeals for a penalty after Garbett went down in the area were waved away by referee Lucas Keating.

In the end, Kerry held firm to secure their first ever point against Dundalk, leaving the Lilywhites frustrated but still firmly in control of the title race with seven games to go.

Teams

Dundalk FC: Minogue; Mulligan (Garbett HT), Animasahun (O’Keeffe HT), Leonard, Wilson; Dervin, Paraschiv (Ward HT); Kenny (Ebbe 78), McDaid, Horgan; Arubi (Vaughan 68).

Goals: Horgan (41’ pen, 47’), Ward (52’)

Kerry FC: Connor; Lee, McQueen, Brookwell, O’Connell; Perez (Brosnan 54), Mujaguzi, Crowe (Healy 66), Adams; Teahan, Cleary (Palmer 82).

Goals: Teahan (22’, 48’), Cleary (42’).

Referee: Lucas Keating

Attendance: 1,634