MATCH REPORT: DUNDALK 1-0 ATHLONE TOWN

Vinnie Leonard’s 36th-minute header saw Dundalk lift off on the opening day of the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division season as they deservedly overcame Athlone Town 1-0 despite a nervy end at Oriel Park on Valentine’s Night.

The Lilywhites flew out of the blocks and had an early chance through captain Daryl Horgan but Athlone quickly grew into the game. When the goal did come, it was in a period where there was nothing between the teams, with Leonard rising to meet Aodh Dervin’s corner to hammer a header in.

Leonard had joined up with the Ireland Under-17 squad, along with defensive partner Seán Spaight, earlier in the week for two friendlies in Spain and had played 80 minutes against Finland on Wednesday. However, he left the camp early to return home to start his first league game for the club.

After the break, Dundalk really should have put the match to bed, with Eoin Kenny curling past the post, Leo Gaxha missing a sitter and then Horgan seeing two shots saved by Matthew Connor before Kenny’s effort from distance agonisingly drifted wide.

Those missed opportunities led to Ciarán Kilduff, in his first league match in charge, having to endure a difficult last ten minutes as Athlone threw everything at Dundalk, but his defensive unit held firm for a third straight clean sheet and a perfect start to the season.

For the game, Kilduff – with Leonard in his pack – pulled no surprises in the starting XI, with on-loan Seán McHale having to be content with a place on the bench. Joining him there was 18-year-old local central midfielder Shane Tracey, who signed amateur terms at Oriel Park on Thursday, moving from Bohemians.

Dundalk, backed by magnificent home support, were on the front foot from the first whistle, and in the eighth minute they were always rewarded. Seán Keogh’s punt forward was headed back towards Connor by Brian Torre, with Horgan nipping in and striking from a tight angle but the ‘keeper was in the way to block.

In the 12th minute, the ball sat up for Athlone’s Kyle Robinson around 30 yards from goal and he hit a dipping shot that was comfortable for ex-Midlanders stopper Enda Minogue. Minogue was then clattered by Robinson, who was booked for the challenge, but the ‘keeper – still wearing a mask after fracturing his nose in pre-season – was able to continue.

Athlone had grown into the game but neither side created a clear opening in what was an even first half-an-hour. But Dundalk would take the lead into the break as they broke the deadlock nine minutes from half-time, Leonard rising to meet Dervin’s pinpoint corner and power a header past the reach of Connor.

Determined to put the game to bed early, Dundalk launched a series of attacks on the Athlone defence in the early part of the second half. Three minutes after the resumption, Kenny cut in from the left and curled a shot just wide of the far post.

On 57 minutes, it really should have been 2-0. Horgan played in Kenny down the left and his cross evaded Connor and fell for Gaxha who looked to have the easiest of tasks at the back post but the attacker, who joined from Athlone in the off-season, inexplicably failed to finish.

Six minutes later, Horgan was denied by a fine save from Connor, and on 66 minutes, the Dundalk skipper was in again. This time, a beautiful through-ball from midfield from Keogh found Dean Ebbe who slipped in Horgan but Connor got a hand to the shot to push it behind.

A minute later, the Lilywhites went close yet again, this time Gaxha chasing down Connor who was forced to kick early, his low clearance falling to Kenny who attempted a quick shot from distance, the ball rolling in almost slow-motion past the post.

With Dundalk unable to find a second goal, they naturally retreated in the final ten minutes, with Athlone throwing everything at them, including an 85th-minute corner which dangerously landed in the six-yard box.

Kilduff brought in Keith Ward and Muhammad Haris after that and, having been relieved to see just four minutes of injury-time go up on the board, McHale also came in to help the team see out the game, which they did as their promotion push started with a valuable three points.

DUNDALK FC: Enda Minogue, Conor O’Keeffe, Mayowa Animasahun, Vinnie Leonard, Seán Keogh (Seán McHale 90+2), Aodh Dervin, Harry Groome (Keith Ward 86), Leo Gaxha (Muhammad Haris 86), Eoin Kenny, Daryl Horgan (C), Dean Ebbe (Andy Paraschiv 76). Subs not used: Peter Cherrie (GK), Luke Mulligan, TJ Molloy, Aidan Russell Vargas, Shane Tracey.

ATHLONE TOWN: Matthew Connor, JR Wilson, Cole Omorehiomwan, Dylan Hand, Brian Torre (Billy Gilmore 82), Noe Baba, Bastien Héry (Aaron Connolly 67), Kyle Robinson (Ben Feeney 55), Kailin Barlow (Gideon Tetteh 67), Declan McDaid (Adam Wixted 82), Dean Williams. Subs not used: Lee Axworthy (GK), German Fuentes, Kyle O’Connor, Matthew Leal.

REFEREE: Marc Lynch.

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