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Daryl Horgan’s Goal Lifts Dundalk Over Sligo Rovers, Moving Them Off the Bottom

Daryl Horgan’s Goal Lifts Dundalk Over Sligo Rovers, Moving Them Off the Bottom

Galway United secured a 3-0 victory against Drogheda United at Eamonn Deacy Park, thanks to a double from Stephen Walsh and a late goal by Conor O’Keeffe.Daryl Horgan’s first goal of the season was enough to secure a vital 1-0 win for Dundalk against Sligo Rovers at Oriel Park, lifting the team off the bottom of the Premier Division table.

Following a brief reprieve earlier this month with a win over St Patrick’s Athletic, Dundalk had been rooted at the foot of the table since a 5-0 defeat to Sligo Rovers on March 4th. This victory marks Dundalk’s fourth win of the season and extends their impressive streak of eight consecutive home clean sheets. The match also marked a first clean sheet for 19-year-old goalkeeper Sean Molloy in his home debut.

Despite their defensive solidity, scoring has been a challenge for Dundalk, with Horgan’s strike only the fourth home goal of their campaign. This crucial win moves them three points above Drogheda and within six points of Sligo, St Pat’s, and Bohemians.

Jon Daly’s side dominated the match and were rewarded in the 54th minute when Ryan O’Kane set up Horgan, who slotted past Ed McGinty for his 35th goal in Dundalk colors, on his 175th appearance for the club. It was also Horgan’s 75th career goal, including his international goal for the Republic of Ireland.

Sligo Rovers, coming off a 4-1 loss to Waterford, struggled to create significant chances against Dundalk. Their best opportunity in the first half came when Ellis Chapman capitalized on a loose pass but failed to trouble Molloy.

Dundalk started strongly, with Robbie Benson almost scoring in the seventh minute, but former Lilywhite Connor Malley made a crucial intervention. Further attempts by Cameron Elliott and Paul Doyle were blocked by Sligo’s defense.

The breakthrough came in the second half with O’Kane’s assist to Horgan, who calmly finished past McGinty. Dundalk continued to press, with Hayden Muller and Andy Boyle coming close to adding a second goal.

Despite late attempts by Sligo to equalize, Dundalk held firm for a crucial win that could be a turning point in their season.

Dundalk:

Sean Molloy; Archie Davies, Zak Johnson, Andy Boyle, Zak Bradshaw; Hayden Muller, Paul Doyle, Robbie Benson (John Mountney 72); Ryan O’Kane (Eoin Kenny 77), Cameron Elliott (Sam Durrant 78), Daryl Horgan.

Sligo Rovers:

Ed McGinty; JR Wilson, Charlie Wiggett, Ollie Denham, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Connor Malley (Stefan Radosavljevic 87); Fabrice Hartmann, Ellis Chapman, Will Fitzgerald (Owen Elding 62); Kailin Barlow (Wilson Waweru 62).

Referee:

Paul McLaughlin (Monaghan).

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