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Dundalk 1-2 Monaghan United

Jordan Keegan was twice on target for Roddy Collin's men
Jordan Keegan was twice on target for Roddy Collin's men

Jordan Keegan's double gave Monaghan United a crucial win against Dundalk in a relegation six-pointer at Oriel Park.

Michael Rafter gave the home side the lead inside the first 25 seconds but the Mons drew level in the 48th minute when Jordan Keegan's 25-yard screamer found the top corner of Peter Cherrie's net.

That gave Roddy Collins' side the impetus and they secured just their second win of the season when Keegan grabbed his second with a scuffed effort 15 minutes later.

Dundalk got off to the perfect start with a goal after just 25 seconds of play.

Stephen McDonnell fed the ball inside to Rafter and the Tipperary-born striker shifted the ball a yard before sending a low drive past Michael Schlingermann from around 20 yards.

Lifted by the goal – just their seventh of the season - Sean McCaffrey's men looked to press home their advantage and Gareth Coughlan went close on two occasions, shooting over with a first time volley and a 25-yard free-kick.

The former St Pat's player then turned provider in the 25th minute, outmuscling Darragh Reynor to cut the ball back for Rafter but the Monaghan 'keeper showed good strength to palm his effort away.

The visitors enjoyed decent spells of possession without failing to really test Peter Cherrie.

Tony Griffiths went close with a swerving free that was just too high and Stephen Maher saw the ball get stuck under his feet at the crucial moment just as he was about to let fly on Jordan Keegan's centre.

Keegan has received plaudits for his displays this season and it was the youngster who drew the sides level after three minutes of the second-half.

The midfielder tried his luck from 25-yards and the ball flew past Cherrie's despairing dive to find the top right hand corner.

That gave Monaghan the impetus and Keith Quinn sent a stinging drive at Cherrie just minutes after Dundalk were let off the hook as Conor McMahon couldn't connect with a Darragh Reynor cross that took both Liam Burns and Derek Foran out of the equation.

Gareth Coughlan offered Dundalk some respite with a shot that went just wide but it was the Gortakeegan outfit who pulled in front in the 63rd minute when Keegan found himself free on goal to slide the ball past Cherrie for a crucial time.

Dundalk threw on three strikers, Marc Griffin, Chris Reilly and Bob McKenna in a bid to salvage a point but the Mons held on comfortably for a priceless win.

Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; Ben McLaughlin, Derek Foran, Liam Burns, Eoghan Osborne; John Mountney, Chris Shields, Stephen McDonnell (Marc Griffin 66), Gareth Coughlan (Chris Reilly 73); Gary Shanahan (Bob McKenna 80), Michael Rafter.

Monaghan United: Michael Schlingermann; Stephen Maher, Conor McMahon, Paul Whelan, Darragh Reynor; Jordan Keegan, Keith Quinn, William McDonagh, Jason Marks (Gareth O'Connor 46) (Owen Humphrey 86); Conor Murphy (Bobby Ryan 68), Tony Griffiths.

Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).

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