EIRCOM LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

18th March

Dundalk 1

TONY IZZI 5

Kilkenny City 0

It won't go down as a classic, but it will certainly be remembered for three crucial points attained by Dundalk in the quest for promotion. An early goal from Tony Izzi, followed by 85 minutes of tense action was the story of this game, which threatened to spark into life but never quite did as unforced errors were the rule rather than the exception.

Dundalk made one change from the side that drew in Longford. David Ward returned from suspension to replace Brian Morrisroe with Paddy Quinn switching wings onto the left and Ward coming in on the right hand side. Reilly and Izzi remained the partnership up front and similar to in Longford they were involved in the action early, this time however, Dundalk scored.

As people filtered in late the first action they saw was the opening goal which came quite out of the blue. A hopeful enforced punt into the air from midfield caught out the indecisive visiting defence and left Reilly and Izzi on their own unmarked in the box. Reilly controlled the ball and the puzzled Izzi, who couldn't believe how he was completely unmarked eight yards out took a second to compose himself before volleying past Robert Forde, who got a touch onto the ball before it went into the bottom corner of the net. Eviston seemed happy with this goal and immediately gave orders to his team, which seemed to involve sitting back on their lead. This was clearly apparent in the rest of the first half which was nondescript bar one late chance for Kilkenny. Dundalk briefly threated on the break, Izzi was playing well and so was Reilly but the midfield were toiling. Hoey was having a poor match and was exposed by the more skilful visiting midfielders such as Johnathan Prizeman who every time he got the ball tried to play it along the ground. David Ward was lost on the right wing while Paddy Quinn and John Flanagan played well in spurts but failed to make any great impression. The back four was looking more solid, with Melvin outstanding however a major mix up before half time almost proved costly. A mishit Kilkennny pass somehow slipped through a mass of Dundalk legs outside the penalty area and rolled straight into the path of Brian Jordan who had Connolly to beat from six yards however the goalie came out and made a wonderful save to deny the striker. the save which essentially won the match for Dundalk as later events showed. It was the best chance Kilkenny would have.

At half time Hoey was taken off and was replaced by Derek Delaney. While in the first half the midfield along with David Crawley hammered the ball anywhere, normally into orbit the team looked better with Delaney there. While at times he was overpowered physically when given time with the ball at his feet he released his teammates and gave the strikers something other to do than just jump for a header. In one of his first major contributions he put Tony Izzi in down the right but the Italians shot was well wide. Kilkenny had dominated the first half possession wise but at least in the second Dundalk took more part in proceedings going forward. Tony Izzi ran for the team all night and before he was substituted because he was basically exhausted he nearly made it 2-0 when turning inside the box after a David Crawley shot was parried but his shot was saved by Robert Forde. Before that Paul Whelan's header had been touched over the bar by Forde as well. Kilkenny had their chances, Sean Murrays turn and shot went narrowly over the crossbar with twenty minutes to go but former Dundalk player and scorer of important goals Johnathan Prizeman was well marshalled in the second half and was eventually replaced as Melvin became more dominating. David Ward also came into the game more, even if at times it was to make a mistake. He redeemed himself by getting back to make a good clearance after Kilkenny broke away after a Dundalk corner. John Flanagan had Dundalk's best chance of the half when Campbell and Ward combined to put him in down the right. He advanced into the box but stuck between crossing or shooting he tried a combination of both which went wide and out of the reach of Anto Reilly. Reid replaced Tony Izzi soon after that and the enforced substitution of the up to then impressive Paul Whelan unsettled the side somewhat as John Reid came in for his debut at centre back at a crucial time. Whelan's injury could see him being out for some time. John Reid started slowly but as the game went on he gradually began to settle in. By this stage most of the action was taking place in the midfield areas and the sum total of Kilkennys possession were some dangerous, yet unfruitful long shots.

Kilkenny made three substitutions so there was to be four minutes of added time at the end of the game. Paddy Quinn showed incredible maturity to take the ball to the corner flag and win a corner for Dundalk at a vital time, thus killing off Kilkenny. Quinn lacks a trick or skill to get past players and uses raw pace and power to try and outstrip his opponents. Late in the game this was an effective tactic as the Kilkenny players were tiring and the fitness of the Dundalk players shone through. Mark Reid showed some good touches but had little to do during his time on the field while Reilly was more subdued in the second period despite one darting late run which was foiled by a Brendan Rea tackle. John Stacey, who had an indifferent evening eventually blew the final whistle to the delight of supporters and management. It is a result which must surely guarantee Dundalk a playoff place and consign Kilkenny to Division One next season, the lack of a real quality striker looks to be their problem, as they play a passing game which would suit such a player

Noel Melvin was Dundalks best player again, he was inspirational and didn't give his marker any space or chance during the 90 minutes. Whelan was also doing well until his injury. Tony Izzi and Anto Reilly also put in encouraging performances while Paul Campbell was again reliable at right back. Derek Delaney made a big difference in the second half and will be looking for more first team action between now and the end of the season, this was definitely a pressure game to come in to and he acquitted himself well and showed he is well up to the task. John Connollys save before half time was crucial and he was safe throughout the game from any crosses or hopefullong shots.

So its three home wins in a row for Dundalk, hard as it may seem to believe. Five games left, only two at Oriel Park and Dundalk now know if they win all five they go up. The midfield will have to significantly improve and the players will have to have belief in their passing ability which they showed in the first half in Longford last week. If one thing was shown on this night, it was the value of having a goal poacher in the ranks. With vital goals already this season against Longford, Bray and Kilkenny Tony Izzi has proved to be an inspired addition. His sharpness was again the difference between these two sides.

DUNDALK FC

1 John Connolly 8

2 Paddy Quinn 6

3 David Crawley 6

4 David Hoey 5

5 Paul Whelan 7

6 Noel Melvin 9

7 John Flanagan 6

8 Paul Campbell 7

9 Anto Reilly 7

10 Tony Izzi 7

11 David Ward 6

SUBS

14 Derek Delaney 7 for Hoey

12 Mark Reid 6 for Izzi

17 John Reid 6 for Whelan