Georgie Kelly scored his first Dundalk goal as the Lilywhites ended Finn Harps’ FAI Cup campaign at Oriel Park.
Dundalk 2 Finn Harps 0
Kelly had scored his final goal for UCD in the Student’s 3-1 win over Harps in June and the Inishowen man was at it again tonight as he struck gold in the 52nd minute.
Dundalk had led through Ronan Murray’s controversial first-half penalty when Kelly polished off a fine team move early in the second half.
Kelly sent a header flying past Harps ‘keeper Ciaran Gallagher after an excellent move involving Daniel Cleary and Dean Jarvis.
Harps fell behind when Jacob Borg was adjudged to have clipped the heels of Dane Massey and Murray stepped up to tuck home from the penalty spot.
Harps boss Ollie Horgan was incensed at the decision and was banished to the stand at half-time.
Nathan Boyle fired over the top and Gabriel Sava, then Dundalk goalkeeper, saved from Mark Timlin as Harps sought a way back.
Sean Gannon almost scored a stunning volley late in the first half, but his effort, from a Sean Hoare pass, landed on the roof of the Harps net.
Earlier in the tie, Ciaran Coll whizzed a free kick just wide and Dundalk’s returning John Mountney cannoned a drive off the Harps crossbar.
Harps – without the suspended Sam Todd – stayed in the contest, while Gallagher saved from Dylan Connolly as a much-changed Dundalk – who sowed seven switches from their mid-week game against Sligo Rovers – went in search of more goals.
Dundalk: Gabriel Sava; Sean Gannon (Stephen Folan 89), Daniel Cleary, Sean Hoare, Dane Massey; Dean Jarvis; John Mountney; Dylan Connolly, McEleney (Michael Duffy 76), Ronan Murray; Georgie Kelly (Pat Hoban 84)
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; John Kavanagh (Devers 78), Jacob Borg, Keith Cowan, Niall Logue, Coll; Mark Coyle, Tommy McBride (Mikey Place 65), Gareth Harkin, Mark Timlin; Nathan Boyle (Timmie Sobowale 65)
Referee: Paul McLaughlin (Monaghan)
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