DUNDALK FC PUT themselves in pole position to be this year’s SSE Airtricity Premier Division champions after a 3-0 win on the road in Athlone. A Patrick Hoban double further dented the Town’s survival chances with Brian Shortall shown a straight red early on for the home team.
A heated affair was in the offing and this could be backed up by the number of yellow cards shown early on. These were overshadowed shortly after when Brian Shortall was sent for an early shower on what seemed to be a heavy push on Dane Massey.
Both sets of players and fans alike disputed the referee’s decision with a vast disapproval from the home fans as the players went in for the break.
The stadium erupted as the Lilywhites opened the scoring in the second-half. Sean Gannon crossed excellently to the feet of Patrick Hoban, who rifled his effort into the top of the goal leaving Ryan Coulter with no chance.
The Lilywhites soon got another. Hoban netted his second in quick succession after the Dundalk man split the Athlone backs and struck the ball low past Coulter whose reaction wasn’t quick enough to deny the goal.
Richie Towell made sure of all three points for Dundalk late on after the Athlone attack pushed up the field in search of a consolation.
Athlone searched for a way back into the game but never looked like they were about to pull off a comeback. The club that have been stuck to the bottom of the table for the majority of the season stay there while Dundalk seem destined for the title.
ATHLONE TOWN: Ryan Coulter; Brian Shortall, Derek Prendergast, Alan Byrne, Kevin Knight (Graham Rusk 61); Kealan Dillon, Eric Foley, James O’Brien (Aidan Collins 86), Derek Doyle; Ian Sweeney; Philip Gorman (Barry Clancy 78).
Mark Hughes, Declan Brennan, Stephen Dunne, Paul Skinner (GK)
DUNDALK: Peter Cherrie; Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey; Chris Shields; Darren Meenan, Richie Towell, Kurtis Byrne (Mark Griffin 81), Daryl Horgan (Donal McDermott 70); Patrick Hoban (Stephen O’Donnell 86).
Subs not used: John Mountney, Ruaidhrí Higgins, Mark Rossiter, Gabriel Sava (GK).