Dundalk hit five past Waterford but Kearns injury casts shadow
Former Kerry FC player Ronan Teahan opened the scoring for Dundalk against Waterford. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Clohessy
Ronan Teahan’s first Premier Division goal helped Dundalk clinch their first win since returning to the top-flight but they’ll have concerns over the welfare of goalkeeper Conor Kearns.
It was clear by the reaction from both sets of players that the stopper sustained a serious injury upon landing awkwardly on the newly-laid surface.
Clutching his knee, it would take several medical personnel 17 minutes to treat and then remove Kearns by stretcher to the awaiting ambulance.
The 27-year-old was an integral part of Shelbourne’s 2024 title-winning side but an injury sustained last season led to Dutchman Wessel Speel being recruited and Kearns opting to depart on loan for the season.
He was earmarked as a backbone towards keeping Dundalk in the division at the first attempt. Now they’ll turn to 42-year-old Peter Cherrie, who came on for the final 20 minutes to ensure the Lilywhites finished with their first win of the season.
For Ciarán Kilduff’s 50th competitive game in charge of Dundalk, it was his first against Waterford.
He succeeded in overseeing the club’s win over the Blues in five years, matching the largest margin since the 6-1 mauling of 1969.
This result leaves Waterford as the sole team without a victory. Although they had their moments, especially at 2-0 down, overall they looked disjointed and lacking a proper identity.
First-half goals from Teahan and Declan McDaid reflected the dominance of the hosts but the Blues – playing in pink – wilted in the closing stages.
Captain Daryl Horgan grabbed the goal his performance deserved before substitute Eoin Kenny added a brace during the enforced protracted injury time.
Up next for the Louth men is welcoming Sligo Rovers on Monday before travelling to leaders Bohemians on Friday.
Heimir Hallgrímsson was maintaining his pattern of traversing the country to domestic matches. The day had been consumed by him being linked with calling up 38-year-old David McGoldrick for the World Cup playoff but he didn’t see much of a player who reaches that age next month.
Jon Daly’s decision to leave the golden boot winner for the last two seasons, Pádraig Amond, in reserve might be explained by Monday’s clash against Galway United but they missed his presence in attack. Evan McLaughlin and Benny Couto, both signed from Cork City in pre-season, were other notable substitutes.
In a first half of Dundalk domination, Teahan availed of an untimely slip by his former Kerry FC teammate Cian Barrett to nod home Horgan’s delicious cross from the right on the half hour.
Jorgan Vloris and Conor Carty both had half-chances before Horgan was instrumental in the second four minutes before the break.
His instinctive crossfield pass freed McDaid into space and with Stephen McMullan stranded, he was able to keep his lob on target, clipping the post on its way in.
Daly’s double substitution at the interval attempted to shore up midfield but remained porous at the back.
Danny Mullen should have added the third within 10 minutes from point-blank range only for his header to be thwarted by McMullan.
Kearns was called into action to turn away Carty’s curler just past the hour but his night and possibly his season was to end shortly.
Upon the resumption, Dundalk didn’t relent. Horgan swept the ball home from close range after his initial header was kept out before Kenny beat McMullan too easily with a shot inside the near post.
His fellow sub Aodh Dervin was next to have a pop but the final touch on his low drive was from Kenny, sufficient to complete the rout.
C Kearns; T Wilson, M Animasahun, C O’Keeffe, B Burns; K Buckley, H Groome (A Dervin 74); D McDaid (E Kenny 88), R Teahan (S Treacy 90+6), D Horgan; D Mullen (G Arubi 88).
S McMullan; J Mahon, H Cann, J Dempsey; C Barrett (S Glenfield 46), R Mansfield, L Heeney, D McMenamy (E McLauglin 61), J Voilas (T Coyle 46); T Lonergan (P Amond 61), C Carty.
Marc Lynch.
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