Match Report: Wexford FC 2 - 3 Dundalk FC

Photos by Gerry Scully

Ferrycarrig Park

Friday, May 31st, 2025

Dundalk Leave It Late to Claim All Three Points in Five Goal Thriller

Dundalk FC produced another comeback on the road as they edged a dramatic 3-2 win over Wexford FC at Ferrycarrig Park on Friday night, with a late Mulligan goal sealing all three points for the league leaders.

The result sees the Lilywhites maintain their six-point cushion at the top of the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division heading into the mid-season break.

First Half: Gaxha Strikes Early, But Wexford Respond

After a 15-minute delay to kick-off, it was Dundalk who settled quicker and made their early dominance count. Leo Gaxha opened the scoring in the 13th minute, rifling home from the corner of the box after a well-worked move on the right. It was the in-form winger’s fifth league goal of the season and his second in as many games.

However, the hosts struck back almost immediately. Just three minutes later, James Crawford whipped in a dangerous cross from the right and Darragh Levingston arrived unmarked to steer the ball past Enda Minogue.

Wexford continued to threaten and took the lead just before half-time. A mix-up in Dundalk’s backline gave Rowe a clear opening, and the league’s second-top scorer made no mistake, slotting home his 13th of the season to make it 2-1.

Photos by Gerry Scully

Second Half: Ebbe Levels Before Late Twist

Dundalk came out strong after the interval, searching for a way back into the contest. Dean Ebbe was inches away from equalizing on 68 minutes when his header came back off the post.

But the striker wasn’t to be denied. Just two minutes later, a scramble in the box ended with Ebbe forcing the ball over the line to make it 2-2 and swing the momentum back in the visitors’ favor.

With the pressure building, Dundalk poured forward in search of a winner. It arrived with just two minutes left on the clock. Luke Mulligan met a corner with a clever glancing header, and under pressure, Wexford defender Ryan Kelly helped it into his own net.

It was a fittingly dramatic end to a rollercoaster encounter and another sign of the fight and belief running through Ciarán Kilduff’s young squad.

Photos By Gerry Scully

Dundalk FC: Minogue; Dervin, Leonard, Animasahun, Keogh; Groome (Mulligan 59), Ward (Tracey 59); Gaxha, Horgan, Arubi (Kenny 59), Ebbe

Goals: Gaxha (13’), Ebbe (71’), Mulligan (88’)

Wexford FC: Moody, Crawford, Lyons, Larkin, Rowe, Levingston (Wasilewski 88), Dobbs, Flynn (Kelly 54), Harnett (Butler 78), Abada, Scanlon

Goals: Levingston (17’), Rowe (43’)

Referee: Glen Geraghty

Final Score: Wexford FC 2–3 Dundalk FC

Attendance: 897

Photos by Gerry Scully

Kilduff’s Thoughts

Speaking after the final whistle, Dundalk manager Ciarán Kilduff praised the character and resilience of his youthful squad:

“We’ve just gone 17 games unbeaten. That’s three wins on the bounce, and to dig one out like that, away from home, coming from behind, it says a lot about this group. I’m delighted for the lads.”

He also pointed to the progress and maturity of his squad as a key factor in their momentum:

“These are young lads, some still 17 or 18, playing week in, week out something they’ve never done before. To be producing results like this under pressure, it shows how far they’ve come in a short space of time.”

And on the significance of the win heading into the mid-season break:

“We came down here for three points and we got them. The unbeaten run is great, but it’s the manner of the performances that makes me proud. They showed character far beyond their years tonight.”

📹 Match Highlights

Next Up

The Lilywhites head into the mid-season break with momentum firmly on their side. We return to action on Friday, June 13th, when UCD visit Oriel Park.