Ronan Finn nets first hat-trick

Ronan Finn scored a career first hat-trick as Dundalk trounced bottom-of-the-table Longford Town 4-0 at the City Calling Stadium on Saturday night.

Due to recent rain, the pitch at Mullollogher was only passed playable at 5pm, but the conditions appeared to suit the champions perfectly as the win edged them back to the top of the league on goal difference.

“It’s funny, we were told when getting on the bus at 1 o’clock that there was a pitch inspection and the game might be off,” said Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny. “But it was the best pitch we’ve played on this season.”