📰 Match Report | Dundalk FC 4–1 Longford Town

Sean McGuinness
Aug 5
3 min read

📍 Oriel Park

Monday, August 4th, 2025

SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division – Matchday 26

Ebbe & Kenny Fire Dundalk to Bank Holiday Brilliance

A commanding performance from league leaders Dundalk FC saw them ease past Longford Town at Oriel Park on Bank Holiday Monday evening, with goals from Eoin Kenny, a double from Dean Ebbe, and Declan McDaid securing a 4–1 win that keeps Ciarán Kilduff’s side six points clear at the top of the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division.

Having secured three points away to UCD just three days earlier, this back-to-back win marks the first time Dundalk have taken six points from a double game week, and it came with attacking flair, clinical finishing, and another reminder of the side’s promotion intent.

First Half: Dundalk in Control Early On

With the wind at their backs and confidence flowing, Dundalk started on the front foot. Aodh Dervin, excellent throughout against his former club, nearly opened the scoring on five minutes with a curling left-footed strike that struck the inside of the post.

The breakthrough came on 15 minutes. After Rohan Vaughan was denied by Longford goalkeeper Harry Halwax, Dervin kept the move alive and teed up Kenny, who rifled a powerful shot high into the net from the edge of the box for his fourth goal of the campaign.

Dean Ebbe then doubled Dundalk’s lead before the break. Kenny, full of running and invention, beat six Longford players on a dazzling solo run. His final shot lacked power, but Ebbe pounced to slide the ball into the bottom corner.

Longford had a couple of chances to respond, most notably through Fran Campbell and Dean George, but Peter Cherrie produced two smart stops to preserve Dundalk’s two-goal cushion going into the interval.

Second Half: Ebbe at the Double, McDaid Opens Account

Dundalk remained in control after the restart, with Kenny going close to his second before JR Wilson saw a header tipped onto the bar and Vinnie Leonard’s follow-up rattled the frame again.

Ebbe grabbed his second and Dundalk’s third on the hour mark, firing home from close range after Leonard knocked down a Keith Ward corner. It was the striker’s ninth goal of the season and a fitting reward for a tireless display.

Longford briefly threatened a comeback when Oisín Hand headed home from a Kyle Robinson corner on 78 minutes. The visitors then went close twice more, Mohammed Boudiaf smacked the post and Daniel Norris fired just wide after rounding Cherrie.

But Dundalk weathered the storm and sealed the win five minutes from time. Kenny, again involved, burst down the right and crossed for substitute Declan McDaid to scramble home his first goal for the club.

Highlights

Teams

Dundalk FC: Cherrie; Wilson, Animasahun (O’Keeffe 74), Leonard, Tracey; Dervin, Ward (Groome 74); Kenny, Ebbe (McDaid 62), Horgan (Paraschiv 62); R Vaughan (Arubi 81)

Goals: Kenny (15’), Ebbe (34’, 60’), McDaid (85’)

Longford Town: Halwax; Irhue (Topcu 36), Hand, Yoro (Spain 6), O’Shea; Manuel (Robinson 66), Moore; George (Murtagh 66), Norris, Boudiaf; Campbell (Ugbesia 66)

Goal: Hand (78’)

Referee: Darragh White

Kilduff’s Thoughts

Speaking after the match, manager Ciarán Kilduff praised his side’s professionalism and energy on a tricky night:

“If you’d told me on the way up Friday that we’d win back-to-back games with a 4–1 on Monday, I’d have bitten your hand off. We’ve learned from previous double game weeks, tweaked a few things, and rotated the squad really well. I’m delighted for the lads, especially Dean [Ebbe] and Eoin [Kenny]. That attacking group was outstanding.”

Kilduff made six changes from the UCD win and was particularly pleased with the depth shown across both games.

“Seventeen players started across the weekend. That gives us healthy competition. The lads want to play, and they’re putting their hands up. That’s exactly what you want heading into a massive few weeks.”

Video By Chris Clarke

Up Next

Dundalk face a quick turnaround with Athlone Town visiting Oriel Park this Friday night. With Cobh and Bray also facing off, it’s a huge opportunity for Kilduff’s men to strengthen their grip on top spot.