Dundalk go four clear as Daryl Horgan runs the show in victory over Cobh Ramblers
Daryl Horgan claimed a goal and an assist as Dundalk defeated title rivals Cobh Ramblers 2-1 in the League of Ireland First Division at St Colman's Park.
The Lilywhites knew a defeat would have put their Cork rivals on top, and first-half goals were the difference as Ciarán Kilduff's side gained a four point cushion at the summit.
Dundalk wasted no time, with a Sean Keogh free-kick in the third minute hitting the near post
Horgan also cut inside and got two shots off, and each one was stopped by Timothy Martin.
The Ramblers soaked up the pressure and Cian Murphy created their first opening by holding the ball up and releasing Cian Bargary on the right wing. The Tipperary native dropped a cross between the Dundalk back-line and Enda Minogue had to awkwardly come off his line to deal with this.
These moments were rare for Cobh, who won their first corner in the 32nd minute and saw this headed wide by Barry Coffey.
Dundalk, on the other hand, were getting into space easier, and this showed with Horgan's opener.
The winger dug an opening for himself on that occasion at the edge of the area and fired into the opposite corner in the 37th minute.
The former Republic of Ireland international created Dundalk's second with a cross, and Gbemi Arubi nodded this in the dying seconds of the first half.
Cobh regrouped over the break and went for it at the restart, and they pulled one back in the 54th minute.
That came from Waterford's Shane Griffin curling in a free-kick at the Liam McMahon Stand after Dundalk were penalised for a jersey pull.
The Ramblers kept going, but a frantic spell around the penalty area ended with nothing as this drive petered out.
Dundalk held firm and Kilduff refreshened his team in the 61st minute by bringing on Dean Ebbe, Andy Paraschiv, and Eoin Kenny for Arubi, Harry Groome, and Keith Ward. This injected a new lease of life into their team, and out of this Vincent Leonard saw a close range shot hit the roof of the net.
McDermott went for it late on by bringing on David Bosnjak, who has six goals this season between two different competitions.
It came down to a Dale Holland attempt from distance, and Minogue stopped this on the goal-line.
Cobh Ramblers: Timothy Martin; Jonas Hakkinen (Nolan Evers 59), Cian Coleman, Shane Griffin, Luka Le Bervet, Shane Griffin, Jason Abbott (Niall O'Keeffe 59), Cian Bargary (Dale Holland 30), Cian Bargary, Samuel Bellis (David Bosnjak 75), Cian Murphy.
Dundalk: Enda Minogue; Sean Keogh, Vincent Leonard, Mayowa Animasahun, Conor O'Keeffe, Harry Groome (Andy Paraschiv 61), Keith Ward (Eoin Kenny 61), Aodh Dervin, Daryl Horgan, Leonardo Gaxha, Gbemi Arubi (Dean Ebbe 61).
Elsewhere, Bray Wanderers kept pace with Dundalk with a 3-1 win at home to Athlone Town.
Jamie Duggan opened the scoring on 19 minutes with a well-placed header while Conor Knight doubled his side's lead eight minutes later when he scored with a curling right footed shot that went in off the far post.
Billy O'Neill's second-half goal made sure of the points before Kyle Robinson scored a late consolation goal for Athlone.
Treaty United strolled to a 4-0 victory against UCD. Lee Devitt's first-half goal separated the sides at the break but the game turned on the 63rd minute when goalkeeper Niall Holohan was shown a red card and Treaty awarded a penalty for a foul in the box.
Karl O'Sullivan converted from the penalty spot and from there on out Treaty took advantage of the extra-man with further goals from Devitt and Trpimir Vrljicak sealing the victory.
In the First Division's other game of the evening, Kerry and Wexford played out a 1-1 draw. Niall Brookwell opened the scoring for Kerry before Mikie Rowe levelled things up in the second-half.
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