Dundalk 1 - 3 Sligo Rovers

Sligo Rovers impressive start to the season continued as they handed Stephen Kenny his first defeat as Dundalk manager on Tuesday night at Oriel Park.

Sligo were easy victors as goals in the first half from Raffaele Cretaro and Gavin Peers were followed up in the second half by yet another goal from Anthony Elding. Dundalk’s Kurtis Byrne pulled one back for the hosts with 20 minutes remaining but it only proved to be a consolation.

The visitors began the brighter and took the lead within the first two minutes when Cretaro beat a weak tackle from Eoghan Osborne to drill the ball into the net through the legs of Peter Cherrie. That allowed the champions to settle quicker and they went on to control the tempo of the match.

Former Sligo man John Dillon had an effort blocked by Gary Rogers before Richie Towell had a speculative effort go over the bar. Ross Gaynor almost hit the net against his former side but his effort went just wide on the half hour mark before he turned provider for the second goal. Gaynor’s free-kick from the left was met by Gavin Peers who had all the time in the world to finish to the net despite the best efforts of Cherrie.

That second goal gave Sligo the comfort they needed and deservedly went in ahead at half-time.

Straight after the break Gaynor almost got the third when he ran through the Dundalk defence but he shot straight at Cherrie. At the other end, Keith Ward blasted the ball at Rogers before Byrne almost hit the net with a brilliant header but a wonderful one handed save from the Sligo Rovers netminder denied him.

That save proved crucial as on 52 minutes, the Bit O’Red got their third. A brilliant cross from Cretaro found the unmarked Elding who had the simplest of tasks, finishing from close range. That appeared to be game over but Dundalk grabbed a lifeline when Byrne made an early claim for goal of the season with just under 25 minutes to go as his thunderous strike on the half volley flew into the corner of the net giving Rogers no chance.

The goal appeared to breathe life into the Lilywhites and they probed for another and with 10 minutes to go Keith Ward found space in the box following some good build play,  but his curling effort hit the post.

Darren Meenan had a free-kick go just wide in the closing stages but that appeared to be the hosts last opportunity as they failed to create anything of note and the champions maintained their 100% record and remain on top of the table.

Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; John Sullivan, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey, Eoghan Osborne; John Dillon (Darren Meenan 66), Richie Towell, Stephen McDonnell (Chris Shields 69), Keith Ward; Kurtis Byrne, Patrick Hoban (Vinny Faherty 56).
Subs not used: Aaron Shanahan (GK), Tiarnan Mulvenna, Mark Rossiter.

Booked: John Sullivan (90+3)

Sligo Rovers: Gary Rogers; Alan Keane, Gavin Peers (Jeff Henderson 53), Evan McMillan, Seamus Conneely (Kieran Djalili 72); Aaron Greene, Lee Lynch, David Cawley, Ross Gaynor; Raffaele Cretaro (Ryan Connolly 83); Anthony Elding.
Subs not used: Ciaran Kelly (GK), Iarfhlaith Davoren, Kieran Djalili, Liam Martin, Martin Owens.

Booked: Kieran Djalili (87)

Referee: Paul Tuite.

Attendance: 2,054

Extratime.ie man of the match: Raffaele Cretaro (Sligo Rovers).