Bohemians 1-2 Dundalk: Lilywhites extend lead at top

By Daire Walsh at Dalymount Park

Stephen Kenny’s side won the first of a five-day away game double-header to extend their advantage over Cork City at the top of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division to four points

Champions Dundalk survived a late onslaught from Bohemians at Dalymount Park this evening, to go four points clear of Cork City at the summit of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.

Brian Gartland’s third league goal of 2016 was the difference between the teams at the mid-way point, and while Bohs cancelled out a John Mountney strike with an unstoppable finish from Kurtis Byrne after the restart, Dundalk ultimately held out for an invaluable triumph.

The visitors offered the greater attacking threat during a fast-paced opening, and after a free-kick from Dane Massey had earlier rebounded off the woodwork, Dundalk ultimately broke the deadlock in the 24th minute.

The excellent Mountney’s perfectly-weighted corner found its way towards centre-half Gartland, who flicked the ball superbly beyond the reach of Shane Supple with the outside of his right-boot. This was a deserved lead for Stephen Kenny’s men, but thanks to a superb double save by the impressive Supple from Massey and McMillan at the end of the opening period, Bohs remained in contention.

Dundalk, whose goalkeeper Gary Rogers will link-up with Martin O’Neill’s international squad for Monday’s trip to Serbia, continued to dominate possession upon the resumption, and when Mountney’s low drive from long-distance drifted into the bottom corner of the net 20 minutes into the second-half, they seemed destined to claim all three points.

However, the resilient Bohs reduced their deficit just two minutes later as Byrne found the top right-hand corner of the Dundalk goal with a thumping volley.

This set the game up for a frantic finale, but even though Byrne struck agonisingly wide of the mark seven minutes from time, Dundalk eventually held out for a hard-earned win.

The Lilywhites will aim to extend their two-match winning run when they face Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds next Tuesday.

Bohemians, meanwhile, remain in seventh position in the top-flight, and are next in action on Friday week, when they face Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park.