Dundalk won their third consecutive game of the 2025 First Division season, beating Kerry FC in the first ever meeting between the two sides.
From the early moments in the game Dundalk showed why they are favourites for promotion, controlling possession and having a large share of the chances. Unsurprisingly Daryl Horgan was the key man for the Lilywhites in the first half, causing Alex Dunne a lot of problems.
The former Ireland international would be influential in Dundalk’s opener, Enda Minogue punted the ball upfield, which fell to Dean Ebbe who would lay the ball off to Horgan who was able to cut inside before returning the ball to Ebbe who put the ball in the back of the net, opening his 2025 First Division tally.
Ten minutes after Dundalk took the lead they would be reduced to 10 men, former Kerry FC captain Leo Gaxha collided studs first with Niall Brockwell‘s head in what was an incredibly dangerous tackle and an unquestionable red card.
Kerry FC’s best chance of the first half fell to Nathan Gleason, who hit the crossbar from a header after an Alex Dunne cross just before halftime.
Conor McCarthy clearly gave his side a great halftime talk beacuase just moments into the second half Daniel Okwute had a shot cleared off the line by Dundalk.
The second half was controlled by the Kingdom, however several poor crosses into the box meant Kerry didn’t create any significant chances. That was until the late stages of the game where Kerry FC were throwing the kitchen sink at Dundalk, there was chaos in the box with at least 5 goal line clearances by Dundalk defenders but nothing came of it.
The fourth official indicated seven additional minutes and Kerry continued to push but ultimately Dundalk put in a very impressive defensive performance, keeping their third clean sheet of the season and picking up all three points in front of a sold out Mounthawk Park.
LOITALK MOTM: Enda Minogue
The 24 year old Dundalk goalkeeper didn’t put a foot wrong, making several big saves and claiming the large majority of crosses Kerry put into the box.