Daryl Horgan's first goal of the season proved the difference as Dundalk exacted some revenge on Sligo Rovers at Oriel Park to move off the bottom of the table.
Barring a brief reprieve for four days following their win away to St Patrick’s Athletic at the start of the month, the Co Louth side have been at the foot of the Premier Division table since a 5-0 drubbing by the Bit O Red on March 4th.
Despite this being just their fourth win of the campaign, Dundalk haven’t conceded at home since then with this their eighth consecutive clean sheet at Oriel Park - and a first for home debutant, 19-year-old goalkeeper Sean Molloy.
Scoring goals has been a problem though with Horgan’s strike just the fourth that they have managed at home so far this season.
That proved enough to lift them three points above neighbours Drogheda and to within six points of Sligo, St Pat’s and Bohemians.
Jon Daly’s side were on top throughout and got their just rewards on 54 minutes when Horgan was played through by Ryan O’Kane to slot past Ed McGinty for his 35th goal in Dundalk colours on what was his 175th appearance for the club. It was also a 75th career goal, factoring in his single strike for the Republic of Ireland.
Sligo will be disappointed that they failed to really trouble Molloy as they go into the break on the back of back to back defeats following their 4-1 loss away to Waterford six days earlier.
The hosts started on top and looked like they could hit the front on seven minutes when Robbie Benson twisted and turned in the box but just when it looked like the midfielder was about to apply the finish, former Lilywhite Connor Malley made a brilliant intervention to nick the ball away from him.
Nine minutes later Dundalk looked like they were in again when Benson turned provider on this occasion to set Cameron Elliott through on goal but on this occasion Charlie Wiggett got back to block his effort.
The blocks continued on 18 minutes when Paul Doyle burst into the box before squaring to Benson to shoot but Reece Hutchinson did well to get across and force the ball out for a corner.
Sligo would have their first attempt two minutes later when Ellis Chapman looked to capitalise on a loose pass but he almost fresh aired his effort in the end as it trickled harmlessly through to Sean Molloy.
Dundalk would go close again on the half hour mark when Doyle broke to the end line on the right before pulling back to Zak Bradshaw, whose side-footed effort drifted agonisingly wide of the far post.
After Hayden Muller had an effort brilliantly blocked by Will Fitzgerald on 39 minutes, the former Millwall went close again from the resulting corner as he rose highest to meet Horgan’s delivery only to see his header skim the top of the crossbar.
The breakthrough finally arrived on 54 minutes in Dundalk’s first meaningful attack of the half with O’Kane breaking from midfield before laying off to Horgan to his right for the Galwegian to slot past the advancing Ed McGinty.
📹 | Daryl Horgan opens his account for the season after a swift counter-attack!
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) June 13, 2024
DUN 1-0 SLI #LOITV | #DUNSLI pic.twitter.com/rLHItKdCKx
Muller had another effort after that blocked for a corner by Ollie Denham before Doyle had a long range strike deflected wide seven minutes from the end.
Andy Boyle also went close with a header in the 85th minute but was denied by McGinty before Eoin Kenny’s effort somehow stayed out two minutes later after Horgan’s delivery from the left hit off him and almost crossed the line.
It mattered little though as Dundalk held out for what could be a huge result in their season.
Dundalk: Sean Molloy; Archie Davies, Zak Johnson, Andy Boyle, Zak Bradshaw; Hayden Muller, Paul Doyle, Robbie Benson (John Mountney 72); Ryan O’Kane (Eoin Kenny 77), Cameron Elliott (Sam Durrant 78), Daryl Horgan.
Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty; JR Wilson, Charlie Wiggett, Ollie Denham, Reece Hutchinson; Niall Morahan, Connor Malley (Stefan Radosavljevic 87); Fabrice Hartmann, Ellis Chapman, Will Fitzgerald (Owen Elding 62); Kailin Barlow (Wilson Waweru 62).
Referee: Paul McLaughlin (Monaghan).
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