A double strike by Dundalk hitman David McMillan condemned Finn Harps to defeat in Ballybofey tonight.
Finn Harps 0 Dundalk 2
McMillan netted a goal in each half to give Dundalk a win on a night when the ruthless, clinical streak epected from a side of the Lilywhites’ refinement came to the fore.
The champions took the lead in the 34th minute. Niclas Vemmelund – who signed from Derry City in the winter – whipped in a teasing cross and McMillan got the measure of Kilian Cantwell with his outstretched right foot hooking past Ciaran Gallagher from close range.
Nine minutes into the second, McMillan doubled the lead as the Dubliner headed home from inside the six-yard box, this time from Conor Clifford’s cross.
Dubliner McMillan is on song at the moment and it’s four goals in three games for the striker, who could have had more here.
Having hit the post in the first half, McMillan headed off the crossbar just two minutes before doubling the lead.
When Dundalk arrived here last May, they delivered a record 7-0 home hammering to Harps, but there never seemed a danger that well-organised Harps would fall to a similar beating here.
Ollie Horgan’s men would have been content in the first half-an-hour when they stiffled the visitors.
Thomas Stewart, who passed a late fitness test to play, had a shot bloked by Damien McNulty after Michael Duffy fired at Gallagher early on.
Dundalk enjoyed plenty of possession, but didn’t creat too much in the way of clear-cut chances in the opening period, though Chris Shields saw a shot fly wide off Cantwell and it was one that could have ended up anywhere.
Harps had a brave intervention by skipper Ciaran Coll for keeping the sheet clean when, in the 25th minute, the St Johnston man somehow hooked off the line. With Brian Gartland ready to pounce, after McMillan’s header clipped the base of the post, Coll saved the day.
There were returns to the starting XI for McNulty and Barry Molloy in two changes made to the Harps side from that which had come agonisingly close to a point against Shamrock Rovers last Friday.
Dundalk loanee Ciaran O’Connor was hamstrung for the visit of his parent club, while a hamstring injury also prevented Danny Morrissey from taking his spot in the side.
Harps were set up with a side that expected to be under the cosh, though they managed to have some flashes of intent themselves. Their best opening of the first half saw Sean Houston get in behind Gartland but his cross, intended for Caolan McAleer, was cut out.
It was a moment of hope, but sometimes it’s the hope that kills and it wasn’t long before the the deadlock was broken and Dundalk were on that familiar, winning, way of theirs.
Duffy riffled over the top from 12 yards after getting a sight of goal, while the former Kildrum Tigers underage player saw another go trickle wide, with McMillan having got on the scene just moments too late.
Coll, in a rare attacking foray, stung Dundalk ‘keeper Gary Rogers into action in the closing stages, but he held firm to keep the sheet clean.
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; Ethan Boyle, Damien McNulty, Kilian Cantwell, Ciaran Coll, Gareth Harkin; Caolan McAleer, Barry Molloy, Jonny Bonner; Paddy McCourt; Sean Houston. Subs: Eddie Dsane for McCourt (68), Michael Funston for Molloy (76), BJ Banda for Bonner (82).
Dundalk: Gary Rogers; Niclas Vemmelund, Sean Hoare, Brian Gartland, Dane Massey; Jamie McGrath, Conor Clifford, Chris Shields, Michael Duffy; Thomas Stewart, David McMillan. Subs: Stephen O’Donnell for Shields (84), John Mountney for Stewart (86), Ciaran Kilduff for McMillan (87).
Referee: Paul Tuite (Dublin).
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