Dundalk 0 Sporting Fingal 2:SPORTING FINGAL'S hopes of securing a place in next year's Europa League were boosted with a 2-0 over Dundalk in Oriel Park. Ronan Finn's second half-volley put the icing on the cake as Fingal kept the home side scoreless in a game where Ian Foster's men had their chances.
In the opening 25 minutes, it was all Dundalk but just as they were pushing for the opener, they were caught out cold at the other end.
Conan Byrne rolled a short free into the path of Finn who struck a fierce low drive from 35 yards. Peter Cherrie got down well to push it behind for a corner, from which Fingal grabbed the opener.
Byrne’s corner fell to Glen Crowe at the back post. He played a simple ball back across goal. Shaun Williams eluded his marker and got to the loose ball, blasting it high into the roof of the net on 32 minutes.
Just before the hour mark, Fingal had the points wrapped up as Finn unleashed a half-volley into the corner of Cherrie’s net.
Dundalk’s chances of a comeback were hampered as referee Derek Tomney give Ross Gaynor a straight red following his trip on Shane McFaul. Fingal were also reduced to 10 men as Ger O’Brien saw red for lashing out on Stephen Maher.
DUNDALK: Cherrie; Madden, Burns, Hatswell, Murphy (Lennon, 57); Maher, Bennett, Miller; Kuduzovic,Tipton, Gaynor.
SPORTING FINGAL: Clarke; O’Brien, Hawkins, Browne, Fitzgerald; Finn, Williams, McFaul; Byrne, O’Neill, Crowe (Quinn, 71).
Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin).
