Dundalk seal First Division title and top-flight return with victory over Finn Harps

Gbemi Arubi of Dundalk celebrates with teammates, from left, Declan McDaid, Conor O'Keeffe and Shane Tracey. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

SSE Airtricity First Division: Dundalk 3 (Arubi 54, Horgan 59, Leonard 95) Finn Harps 0 

Dundalk will be back in the Premier Division for their 100th anniversary in the League of Ireland in 2026 after second half goals from Gbemi Arubi, Daryl Horgan and Vinnie Leonard saw them secure the First Division title against Finn Harps at Oriel Park.

Promotion back to the top flight at the first attempt marks a fabulous turnaround for a club who almost went out of existence in September 2024 before being rescued by current owner John Temple.

His appointment of Ciarán Kilduff was a gamble but one that has paid off after the former Lilywhites striker assembled a squad that has led the table from start to finish.

While they have been chased all the way by Cobh Ramblers, this result coupled with the Cork outfit’s defeat away to Longford Town means there will be no shoot-out for the title when the sides meet in St Colman’s Park next week.

While the Co Louth side found it difficult to break down Kevin McHugh’s team in the opening half, two goals inside five second half minutes from top scorer Arubi and another from the spot from Horgan ensured it was a night of celebration for the 3,358 in attendance long before Irish underage international Leonard wrapped it up deep in stoppage time.

There were few clear cut openings for the hosts in the opening period with Harry Groome going closest with a 14th minute header that rattled the crossbar as Aodh Dervin, Declan McDaid and Leonard all had long range attempts go close.

The breakthrough would finally come on 54 minutes with Arubi tapping home from close range after brilliant work by Conor O’Keeffe to tee him up after forcing mistakes from both Bradley-Walsh and Idir Zerrouk.

Dundalk then doubled their advantage five minutes later with captain Horgan firing home from the spot after Conor Tourish was adjudged to have handled JR Wilson’s cross.

The former Republic of Ireland international would have a penalty saved by Barbosa shortly after but the title win was wrapped up in style in the 95th minute when Leonard headed in Andy Paraschiv’s cross with the game’s final act.

DUNDALK: Cherrie; O’Keeffe, Animasahun (Paraschiv 78), Leonard, Wilson; Dervin, Tracey (Mulligan 85); McDaid (Garbett 78), Groome (Ward 78); Horgan (Ebbe 85); Arubi.

FINN HARPS: Barbosa; Place, Brogan, Tourish, Bradley-Walsh, Zerrouk; Gilmore (McDaid 71), McNamee (McGranahan 84), Lomboto (Coyle 72); Bangoura (McLaughlin 72); Mpongo (Bradley 80).

Referee: Declan Toland.