Dundalk may yet end up as First Division champions but they couldn't crack the Kingdom at Oriel Park as their five-match winning run was brought to an end by Kerry FC after a 3-3 draw.
Colin Healy’s side were full value for their first ever point against the Co Louth men having led three times against a Lilywhites outfit who haven’t lost at home this season.
Having been pegged back twice by the hosts, they responded instantly on each occasion with both captains, Ronan Teahan and Daryl Horgan, finishing the night with a brace apiece.
The result will prove a huge confidence booster for the visitors ahead of their FAI Cup quarter-final tie with Sligo Rovers next month, but it is a setback to Dundalk’s title hopes with this result, coupled with Cobh Ramblers winning away to Athlone Town, seeing their lead cut at the top to just six points with seven games to go.
There were few chances in the early stages with Gbemi Arubi having an effort deflect wide off Christopher McQueen on 17 minutes before Kerry hit the front with their first attempt of note five minutes later.
Teahan did well to break into the box and after cutting past Luke Mulligan, he fired through the legs of JR Wilson and past Enda Minogue at his near post.
Indeed, the visitors could have been two up on 29 minutes when Teahan’s cross was met on the volley by Robert Cleary, whose effort lacked power but almost deceived Minogue who had to gather at the second attempt.
Dundalk had to wait until the 34th minute to register their first effort on target, with Arubi denied by the legs of Matthew Connor after being played in by Aodh Dervin.
The striker then turned provider five minutes later when his cross from the left picked out the inrushing Mulligan but the 17-year-old’s cushioned effort flashed just wide.
The hosts were thrown a lifeline on 41 minutes when Horgan dispatched a penalty to the net after Arubi had been fouled by Connor.
However, just 63 seconds later Kerry retook the lead with Cleary getting in ahead of Minogue to turn Ewan Lee’s cross to the net.
Having made three changes at the break, Dundalk equalised within two minutes with one of those substitutes, Keith Ward, providing a teasing cross for Horgan to turn in.
Once again, Dundalk conceded within a minute though as Teahan’s long-range effort deceived Minogue to leave it 3-2 to Kerry after 48 minutes.
The home side did manage to level once more on 52 minutes when Horgan and Ward exchanged passes for the latter to knee the ball over the advancing Connor to the net.
Dundalk pushed hard for a winner after that but a number of good saves from Connor and blocks from Niall Brookwell in particular meant they were unable to turn things around.
Dundalk: Enda Minogue; Luke Mulligan (Norman Garbett HT), Mayowa Animasahun (Conor O’Keeffe HT), Vinnie Leonard, JR Wilson; Aodh Dervin, Andy Paraschiv (Keith Ward HT); Eoin Kenny (Dean Ebbe 78), Declan McDaid, Daryl Horgan; Gbemi Arubi (Rohan Vaughan 68).
Kerry FC: Matthew Connor; Ewan Lee, Christopher McQueen, Niall Brookwell, Sean O’Connell; Ryan Perez, Carl Mujaguzi, Oran Crowe (Arran Healy 66), Joe Adams; Ronan Teahan (Cian Brosnan 54); Robert Cleary (Luke Palmer 82).
Referee: Lucas Keating.
It was an emotional night in Ballybofey as Finn Harps paid tribute to Ollie Horgan prior to their 1-0 win over Treaty United.
Finn Harps captain Tony McNamee placed a wreath in the middle of the park before kick-off with a book of condolences also open at Finn Park.
Hans Mpongo put Harps ahead in the 27th minute after Idir Zerrouk's ball over the top caught out the Treaty defence and the night got worse for the away side when manager Tommy Barrett was sent off after 62 minutes.
Treaty laid siege to the Harps’ goal in the final stages, but some resolute defending and good goalkeeping from Lorenzo Piaia kept them out.
Cobh Ramblers closed to within six points of Dundalk after a comfortable 3-0 win away to Athlone Town.
The match was over a contest at the interval as Cian Murphy, Shane Griffin and Barry Coffey were all on target in a 14-minute target.
Murphy put them ahead after 16 minutes following great work down the right from Cian Bargary with Griffin doubling their lead in the 27th minute with a nice strike. Athlone had barely caught their breath by the time Coffey sealed the points for the visitors.
UCD and Bray played out an entertaining encounter at the Bowl with the home side striking late for a 3-2 victory.
The sides shared four goals in the first half, Rhys Bartley firing Bray ahead in the ninth minute for his first goal for the club before Declan Osagie and Jake Doyle put the hosts ahead. Bray ensured they were level at the break though as Guillermo Almirall headed home in the final moments of the half.
The excitement dried up after the interval but there was one late twist as Adam Brennan bundled home a winner in the 87th minute.
