Dundalk Take Giant Step Towards Premier Division with Victory Over Bray
By ArdeePost Reporter
A year ago, the fate of Dundalk FC hung in the balance, teetering on the edge of extinction. Fast forward 12 months, and the atmosphere at Oriel Park couldn’t be more different. A dominant 3-1 victory over Bray Wanderers, spearheaded by standout performances from Gbemi Arubi and Eoin Kenny, has put the Lilywhites on the verge of a sensational return to the Premier Division.
The win maintains Dundalk’s commanding six-point lead at the top of the First Division with only five games left to play. While manager Ciarán Kilduff’s side still has work to do, particularly with a looming final-day showdown against rivals Cobh Ramblers, the club’s current position is a testament to its remarkable recovery from last year’s financial crisis.
A Remarkable Turnaround By Dundalk
The story of Dundalk’s revival is a captivating one. This time last year, it appeared Ireland’s most successful provincial club had played its final game after then-owner Brian Ainscough ceased his financial support. Salvation arrived in the form of local barrister John Temple, whose intervention saved the club. While relegation followed, the journey back to the top flight is now within reach, a remarkable achievement that few would have predicted.
Though Dundalk had drawn their two previous matches, they were comfortable winners here, controlling the game from the opening whistle despite a late consolation goal from Bray’s Harvey Warren. The result effectively extinguishes any hope Paul Heffernan’s side had of automatic promotion, as Bray now trails the league leaders by 13 points with only 15 points available.
Arubi and Kenny Inspire Dundalk from the Start
The Co. Louth side, who had failed to score in their previous away game against Wexford, took the lead with their first real attempt on goal just eight minutes in. Harry Groome released Eoin Kenny on the right wing, and the Northern Ireland U21 international delivered a perfectly weighted cross for Arubi to head home at the back post.
Kenny, watched by his father, St. Patrick’s Athletic boss Stephen Kenny, nearly doubled the lead five minutes later, but his shot was well saved by former Lilywhites keeper Jimmy Corcoran. Corcoran was called into action again shortly after, saving from Declan McDaid at his near post before the former Bohemians player fired another effort into the side netting.
Bray’s first opportunity came on the quarter-hour mark when Alain Kizenga got a shot away from the edge of the Dundalk box, but Peter Cherrie was able to make the save.
Controversial Second Goal Seals Control
Bray played a significant role in their own downfall on 34 minutes in a moment of confusion. After Warren failed to kick a second ball off the pitch, Killian Cantwell eventually booted it into the corner after a brief stoppage by referee Aaron O’Dowd. Seconds later, that same ball was quickly retrieved by McDaid after a clearance landed on the roof of The Shed. His quick throw-in to Groome led to Arubi’s second goal, a powerful strike into the bottom right-hand corner.
Arubi had two more chances to complete his hat-trick before the break but was denied on both occasions by Corcoran.
In the second half, Bray’s Vinnie Leonard had a couple of headers, and substitute Sean Brennan fired just wide as the visitors sought a way back into the game.
The result was put beyond all doubt in the 54th minute by Kenny, who finished a move he started. His pass found Shane Tracey, and although Tracey was tackled by Benjamin Fagbemi, the loose ball fell perfectly to Kenny, who slotted it past a helpless Corcoran for his seventh league goal of the season.
Late Consolation for Bray
While Tracey had a shot saved by Corcoran on 67 minutes, Bray found a small measure of comfort 10 minutes from time. Max Murphy’s surging run set up Warren, who calmly slotted past Cherrie. However, it was a case of too little, too late for the Seagulls, whose frustration was capped off when Billy O’Neill was harshly booked for what was deemed a dive in the box during stoppage time.
Teams: Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; Conor O’Keeffe (Luke Mulligan 81), Mayowa Animasahun, Vinnie Leonard; JR Wilson; Aodh Dervin, Harry Groome (Dean Ebbe 76); Eoin Kenny (Andy Paraschiv 76), Shane Tracey (Norman Garbett 76), Declan McDaid (Keith Ward 81); Gbemi Arubi.
Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Alain Kizenga, Killian Cantwell, Harvey Warren, Benjamin Fagbemi (Max Murphy 68); Rhys Bartley, Cian Doyle (Sean Brennan HT); Rhys Knight (Richard Ferizaj 84), Guillermo Almirall (Cian Curtis HT), Justin Ferizaj (Conor Knight 68), Billy O’Neill.
Referee: Aaron O’Dowd