An impressive display from Sean McLoughlin at the heart of the Cork defence - he was unlucky to turn the ball into his own net for the winner, although the credit must go to Hoban for applying the pressure to force it.
There are lots of points to play for. I don't think there will be many points between Dundalk and Cork come the end of the season.
Head to heads ties are important but there will be banana skin games when both are juggling European ties.
An impressive display from Sean McLoughlin at the heart of the Cork defence - he was unlucky to turn the ball into his own net for the winner, although the credit must go to Hoban for applying the pressure to force it.
Gutted for McLoughlin. Very hard on the young lad, who hasn't put a foot wrong since coming into the team.
On the balance of the whole game, Dundalk probably deserved the win, horrible time to lose it though and tough mentally. I thought we were slightly the better team in the second half. Dundalk much better first half, without creating much.
Our 2 early subs made a huge difference for us, leading to the goal between them. Sheps chance was pivotal. Poor first touch killed it.
Hoban was fantastic. McNamee probably out best. Sadlier had a quiet game unfortunately.
Disappointing loss. Big few weeks for the lads mentally now after that. They need to get themselves right for Rovers next week.
Kelly, who was fouled, was well ****ed off with it. But what was the point of a big appeal at 4-1 down? Not denying that Longford deserved to win at all; just that the last couple of minutes put an unusual gloss on the score.
Twelve quid is standard enough for a First Division game surely? Maybe a tenner, in which case twelve can hardly be robbery
Goals from Belfield here. UCD will be disappointed with pretty much all of the goals though the fourth from Elworthy was a cracking finish in fairness.
https://youtu.be/1gI5fe0X--I
Upwards to the vanguard where the pressure is too high.
,
Rovers are very obviously a hit and miss team but now have 3 wins in the spin (scoring 9 with none conceded). We might even gift them a win on Monday night in the LSC to keep their run going and build confidence ahead of their visit to Turners Cross.
While I expect Cork to have too much for them, they may well be vulnerable after last nights defeat in Oriel Park
Just watching dundalks winner there, When the ball is played through to Murray, Bennett doesn't go out to him to try prevent the cross. All presumptuous of course but maybe if he goes towards him and not in to try deal with the cross, he could've got a block on it or even pressurised Murray into a less quality cross in.
Very unfortunate for McLoughlin who was excellent last night.
We really need to match dundalks results until we meet again because I just don't see them dropping points.
As a neutral watching last night and from seeing both teams a couple of times I feel Dundalk are clearly trying to play a more expansive game. Cork seem happy enough with a smash and grab approach in the majority of their games.
I dont know if the gap in player quality is thst great but there is a gulf in philosophy that I feel holds Cork back. I suppose they have had some success with this approach so they can argue the end justifies the means but I would like to see how good they could be with a less cautious coach.
I'll take our 'some success' with our most successful manager of all time and most sustained period of challenging consistently! JCs win rate is outstanding. We won't be looking to get rid in the hope that someone might be prettier at it.
That makes plenty of sense form the perspective of Cork supporters who have experienced winning a league and two FAI Cups in addition to consistent European qualification under Caulfield. While Cork folk would be unlikely to contemplate change currently, what Dong alludes to is an interesting suggestion that Cork could possibly achieve more with the current crop of players with a more adventurous or progressive manager - it is unlikely that the thesis will be tested
However, in the event of Cork receding and going a season or two without winning a trophy, the Cork support may become more impatient with the Caulfield style of football.
Obviously delighted with that last night, tough on Cork at the end, but Dundalk kept passing and looking for the opening, brilliant timing for our goals the first and last minute of the second half.
I sit in the top row of the stand and that was some shift Cork put in with their organising when they didn’t have the ball, you get a great view from there on stuff like this, almost every time Dundalk started a move they closed down the option of where to pass it and Dundalk often had to look for the next gap, it continued for the whole game.
The quality from both is definitely a step up on anything I’ve seen in a long time, there have of course been battles involving sides like Bohs and Shels when they were winning leagues, and Pats too, maybe Rovers for a bit and Derry too when they won a few trophies, but this battle is into its 5th year, and I’d say the standard of both could easily fit into League 1 in England.
Not sure why JC had a go at the 4th official for the Dundalk winner, but another point we were talking about after the game, people forget at times he has come from non league football management to where he is now, that’s serious progress, oh and why did he wear his tracksuit coat/top in near 25c heat !
Good win for Dundalk, great to be back on top, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the lead change a few more times before end of Oct, one draw for either never mind a loss and the gap gets bigger, or closer of course.
Edit. Forgot to say O’Hanlon’s goal was definitely onside.
Last edited by oriel; 30/06/2018 at 3:12 PM.
#DundalkFC - First Irish club to win an away game in Europe (1963), only Irish club to win a game / points in Europa League Group Stage (2016).
Thats fair. I don't necessarily agree that someone else could get more out of this group, JCs man management is second to none and he gets more out of a lot of players than would be expected. I appreciate others may disagree and realistically we won't know.
Agreed though, if we fell off the pace fans would get impatient. We're not the most patient of bunches. Although I think that would be equally true of a manager playing nice football and not being competitive. We aren't great losers!
Some match in Sligo...already 2-2 after 30 minutes.
Rumours at the Peamount game this evening that Wexford will be losing the three points gained against Athlone for playing a suspended player.
According to weekly FAI suspension list, Thomas Croke of Wexford was suspended for one ‘First Team Competitive’ game as and from Monday June 25 for reaching 5 yellow cards. According to extratime.ie, a Thomas Croke came off the bench for Wexford in the 65th minute of their game on Friday June 29 against Athlone, their first competitive game since Monday June 25, to replace Ryan Nolan. Oops
Bookmarks