The long-term future of Dundalk might be up in the air but late goals from Paul Doyle and Daniel Kelly against Bohemians at Oriel Park has given the Co Louth side an outside chance of Europe heading into the final day of the season next weekend.
The Lilywhites were forced to issue a statement on the eve of the game to say they are in ongoing investment talks which they hope to resolve soon.
One of the many stories to break from Oriel throughout the week was the news that captain and all-time leading goalscorer Patrick Hoban had been told he was free to find another club next season despite having a year left on his current deal.
The 32-year-old was benched by Stephen O'Donnell for the second week running but proved the game changer as he set up both goals for fellow substitutes Doyle and Kelly to see the Lilywhites leapfrog Bohs into fifth.
Declan Devine’s side are now outsiders for the race for fourth place, which Shelbourne currently lead, and may have to rely on winning the FAI Cup against St Patrick’s Athletic on November 12th to ensure their European place.
PREMIER DIVISION TABLE
The visitors almost took an instant lead on the 60 second mark with Jonathan Afolabi breaking through only to be denied at point blank range by Nathan Shepperd, who also frustrated him moments later.
Jordan Flores’ inswinging free on 19 minutes was then met by the unmarked Krystian Nowak but he couldn’t direct his effort on target.
There was then another let-off for the hosts three minutes later when Shepperd’s kick-out from a Greg Sloggett pass back was charged down by Dylan Connolly, who was unlucky to see the ball cannon off him and go wide.
Dundalk grew into the game as the half progressed and fashioned their first opening on 29 minutes when Cameron Elliott headed just over from Archie Davies’ cross.
Senan Mullen, making his first home start, then fired wide from Ryan O’Kane’s cut back before the Lilywhites had four corners in-a-row in which Elliott and Andy Boyle had headers deflected wide.
Bohs did go close to a breakthrough in the sixth minute of stoppage time but Kacper Radkowski’s flick from Flores’ corner drifted just wide.
James Talbot was then called into action for the first time four minutes after the restart as he made a great stop to keep out Ryan O’Kane’s effort from the edge of the box.
Shepperd then made a big stop at the other end on 53 minutes when he clawed Connolly’s clipped effort over the bar when it looked to be drifting over his head.
Substitute Connor Malley then pulled a shot just wide for the hosts on 62 minutes after bursting into the box just seconds after Daryl Horgan’s effort had been blocked by Bart Kukulowicz.
The Dundalk bench then had penalty appeals dismissed six minutes later after Elliott appeared to be being held by Radkowski from a corner. Boyle's follow up then deflected just wide off Adam McDonnell.
The breakthrough would arrive within seconds of Hoban’s introduction on 78 minutes. He got his header on Benson’s corner ahead of McDonnell with Doyle on hand to rifle in right footed from a tight angle on the right.
Afolabi then had two big chances in close succession to equalise but he firstly fired over on the turn before heading Connolly’s cross just over from close range on 85 minutes.
The game was then put to bed in the second minute of stoppage time when Hoban released Kelly on the right with the winger firing across Talbot to the bottom left hand corner.
Dundalk: Nathan Shepperd; Archie Davies, Andy Boyle, Louie Annesley (Paul Doyle 5), Hayden Muller; Robbie Benson, Senan Mullen, Greg Sloggett; Ryan O’Kane (Daniel Kelly 66), Cameron Elliott (Patrick Hoban 77), Daryl Horgan (Sam Durrant 77).
Bohemians: James Talbot; Bart Kukulowicz, Krystian Nowak, Kacper Radkowski, Patrick Kirk (James Akintunde 82); Adam McDonnell, Jordan Flores (James McManus 63); Dylan Connolly, James Clarke (Ali Coote 70), Danny Grant (Declan McDaid 70); Jonathan Afolabi.
Referee: Rob Hennessy (Limerick)
