Duffy delivers for Dundalk

This was a far more commanding victory for Dundalk than the narrow scoreline might suggest, as a Michael Duffy header capped an at times swaggering display from the champions to claim a big three points in defence of their title and bring Cork City’s recent resurgence to a shuddering halt.

Although a raucous crowd of 3,783 and the presence of the live TV cameras testified to the magnitude of the game, this was a rare occasion when the New Firm who have dominated League of Ireland football for the past few years found themselves going head to head as part of the chasing pack looking to cut Shamrock Rovers’ lead at the top, a consequence of the Hoops’ winning run and games in hand, and both Dundalk and Cork City having to make up ground after stuttering starts to the new campaign.