Kenny goal seals Dundalk comeback win against Longford

Dundalk maintain their status a First Division leaders.

Dean Ebbe of Dundalk celebrates with teammate Daryl Horgan, who assisted, after scoring his side's first goal against Longford Town. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

SSE Airtricity First Division: Dundalk 2 (Ebbe 29’ (P), Kenny 78’) Longford 1 (Murtagh 18’)

Eoin Kenny’s goal 12 minutes from the end saw Dundalk come from behind against Longford Town at Oriel Park to preserve their lead at the top of the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division table.

Ciarán Kilduff’s side fell behind for the first-time this season when Daragh Murtagh found the net on 18 minutes but despite equalising from the spot through Dean Ebbe, they struggled to break down their opponents until the 19-year-old turned the ball home from close range to sink the side where his father, Stephen, made his managerial breakthrough in 1998 - seven-and-a-half years prior to his birth.

The hosts dominated the early chances with Oisin Hand making a fine block on the quarter hour mark to deny Ebbe giving his side the lead after a mistake by Harry Halwax.

That was to prove crucial as the midlanders took the lead with their first and only attempt of the game three minutes later when Murtagh hooked the ball past Peter Cherrie after Harry Groome had failed to deal with Aaron Doran’s header back into the box.

Dundalk were gifted a way back into the game on 29 minutes when Ebbe slotted home from the spot after being fouled by Osaza Irhue.

The Louth men were then awarded another penalty four minutes before the break but on this occasion Halwax denied Ebbe, who would score a second rebound after Shane Tracey’s initial effort was saved but a belated flag from the assistant referee saw the goal chalked off as the sides went off level at half-time.

Dundalk huffed and puffed for much of the second half without troubling the visitors but finally found the breakthrough goal to preserve their lead at the top of the table on 78 minutes when substitute Andy Paraschiv showed a tremendous piece of skill to turn Irhue on the left before teeing up Kenny for a close range finish that secured the victory.

DUNDALK: Cherrie; Dervin, Groome, McHale; Spaight (Mulligan 76); Tracey, Ward (Paraschiv 62); Gaxha, Kenny, Horgan; Ebbe (Aruba 91).

LONGFORD TOWN: Halwax; Irhue, Hand, Walsh (Flood Norton 92), O’Shea, Girugi, Manuel (Ugbesia 74), Yoro, Doran (James 85), George (Boudiaf 74); Murtagh (Campbell 74).

Referee: Ryan Maher.