Soccer

Patrick Hoban’s quick-fire double moves Dundalk back up to third

Striker scores twice in three minutes to move Lilywhites back into Europa League slot

Patrick Hoban celebrates scoring his first goal against Cork City during the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division game at Turner’s Cross. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho
Patrick Hoban celebrates scoring his first goal against Cork City during the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division game at Turner’s Cross. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho
Tue Oct 13 2020 - 22:10

Cork City 0 Dundalk 2

Dundalk moved from sixth to third in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division as Patrick Hoban struck twice in the space of three second-half minutes to give the Lilywhites victory over Cork City at Turner's Cross.

The reigning champions were the better side for most of the game and deserved the victory, but it wasn’t until late in the game that they were able to break down a strong resistance from the home side, who were disciplined in their defending for much of the contest.

While Dundalk had the better of the play in the first half, they were restricted largely to efforts from outside the area and struggled to find the target, though one Hoban shot just after the half-hour was straight at Liam Bossin.

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At the other end, City couldn't make much inroads against the Dundalk defence, with their best effort a Cian Coleman shot from distance which Gary Rogers did well to save.

The second half brought more of the same, with Hoban almost inadvertently giving Dundalk the lead 11 minutes in as Michael Duffy’s low shot was parried by Bossin and hit the striker but went wide.

Just after the hour, City had their best opportunities as Dylan McGlade's shot needed a strong Rogers stop while captain Gearóid Morrissey shot wide, but Dundalk continued to ask more of the questions and were eventually rewarded.

First, Cameron Dummigan’s cross wasn’t claimed by Bossin, allowing Hoban to pounce and then, two minutes later, the lead was doubled when Seán Gannon broke on the right and squared for Hoban to finish.

The result means that City now have just three games to preserve their top-flight status, trailing Finn Harps by two points with a game more played.

CORK CITY: Bossin; Olowu, Bennett, O'Brien, O'Connor; Kargbo (Byrne half-time), Coleman, Ochieng, Morrissey, McGlade (Bargary, 74 mins); Dalling (Simpson, 85 mins).

DUNDALK: Rogers; Gannon, Cleary, Boyle, Dummigan; Shields; Oduwa (Colovic, 80 mins), Murray (Sloggett, 65 mins), McEleney (Flores, 80 mins), Duffy (Kelly, 88 mins); Hoban (McMillan, 88 mins).

Referee: N Doyle (Dublin).