An unfortunate Jonas Hakkinen own goal saw Dundalk get the better of Cobh Ramblers at Oriel Park as the county Louth side preserved their seven-point lead at the top of the First Division table and create a bit of club history.
The return of 25 points from a possible 27 is the most any side in the Lilywhites' history have ever managed – surpassing the 23 from 27 that the teams of 1969/70 and 2015 accumulated. That leaves Ciarán Kilduff’s side well placed for a potential instant return to the Premier Division next season.
Dundalk had to do things the hard way, however, after struggling to break down Mick McDermott’s visitors before Hakkinen turned the ball into his own net 10 minutes into the second half.
The home side bossed the early proceedings with Harry Groome and Leo Gaxha having early efforts blocked before John O’Donovan kept the game scoreless when he cleared off the line from Gaxha on 17 minutes after a well worked move orchestrated by Sean Keogh.
After Eoin Kenny forced a simple save from Timo Martin, Cobh threatened for the first time on 24 minutes when Luke Le Bervet fired straight at Peter Cherrie.
Keogh then went close twice before the break as the sides went off scoreless at the break.
O’Donovan then made another big block to deny Dundalk the breakthrough within a minute of the restart when he got his body in the way of Vinnie Leonard’s shot from Keogh’s corner.
Keogh then had a big role to play in the breakthrough goal on 55 minutes when he drove past Nolan Evers on the right before drilling a low cross across the six yard box which crept into the net off Hakkinen.
The Republic of Ireland U19 international was again providing the threat 11 minutes later when his cross picked out Dean Ebbe, whose downward header had to be turned behind by Martin.
Keith Ward and Kenny then had good attempts off target before Keogh stung the palms of Martin with a right foot shot on 78 minutes as Dundalk looked to seal the points.
The visitors did have a couple of late attempts to level through Barry Coffey and substitute David Bosnjak but both were dealt with easily by Cherrie.
Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; Conor O’Keeffe, Mayowa Animasahun (Sean McHale HT), Vinnie Leonard, Sean Keogh; Aodh Dervin, Harry Groome (Andy Paraschiv 71); Eoin Kenny (Gbemi Arubi 85), Leo Gaxha, Daryl Horgan; Dean Ebbe (Keith Ward 71).
Cobh Ramblers: Timothy Martin; Nolan Evers, Cian Coleman, Jonas Hakkinen, John O’Donovan (David Bosnjak 75); Cian Bargary, Dale Holland (George Nunn 75), Niall O’Keeffe, Luka Le Bervet; Shane Griffin; Barry Coffey.
Referee: Aaron O’Dowd.
Elsewhere, Bray Wanderers had a record-breaking 2-1 win at home to Treaty United.
Richard Ferizaj became the Wicklow side's youngest ever goal scorer, then captain Kilian Cantwell produced a wonder goal, only his second ever for the club, to secure the win.
Kerry FC got three over Athlone Town in an emphatic home win. Luke Palmer opened scoring for Kerry with a header in Mounthawk Park. A second for Palmer and Ryan Kelliher adding to the scoring for the Tralee based side put them firmly out of reach for Athlone.
It was all level at Ferrycarrig Park between Wexford Town and Finn Harps with two-a-piece.
Wexford led at the break with a Mikie Rowe touch in the 11th minute. Dara McGuinness levelled things up straight after the break before Tony McNamee put the visitors ahead. Calum Flynn levelled scoring again with six minutes left to play.
