EIRCOM LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

11th March

Longford 1

KEITH O'CONNOR 56

Dundalk 1

NOEL MELVIN 90

The last time Noel Melvin scored for Dundalk, two seasons ago, the Lilywhites were aiming for a top six place in the Premier Division. I doubt he knew then that his next goal would be a crucial one in the quest to bring Dundalk back up to the Premier Division. On a night that Dundalk turned in probably their best 45 minutes of the season, yet still only came away with a hard earned draw, the 28 year old's 90th minute strike which came out of the blue somewhat could turn out to be the most important goal he has ever scored.

There was confidence in the Dundalk camp coming into this match. Buoyed on by last weeks dramatic finale they dominated the game from the outset and laid siege to the Longford goal. Two changes were made to last weeks side, both were enforced. David Ward and John Whyte both missed out through suspension with Anto Reilly and Paul Campbell replacing them at centre forward and right back respectively. Reilly was the most prominent figure during the opening half and could have scored on four occasions, the first of which came within a minute of the kick off.

A mix up in the Longford defence after a harmless looking ball from Morrisroe allowed the 21 year old in but despite clipping it over the advancing O'Brien the ball went narrowly wide. The striker almost scored a second nine minutes later when a run down the right by Paddy Quinn and the resultant shot caused O'Brien to parry the ball into Reillys path but his header again went wide of the post. Dundalk were playing some good football, mainly because everytime Longford came forward they were meeting with strong resistance at the back. Tony Izzi was allowed some time with the ball on his feet and the benefits of this were clearly illustrated on 18 minutes when the striker spun away from his marker and released Brian Morrisroe on the left wing. The Dubliners first time cross was perfectly measured and Anto Reilly met it on the diving header but Stephen O'Brien in the Longford goals pulled off a wonder save. Four minutes later, the unusually small goalkeeper again denied Dundalk when he somehow clawed a John Flanagan header from an inch perfect David Crawley delivery past the post. O'Brien had three times this season foiled Dundalk and it looked like the same old story was going to happen in this crucial six pointer. Longfords only noteworthy attack of the half resulted in a penalty claim with David Crawley thought to have handled the ball inside the box, however Hugh Byrne who started well and gradually got worse as the match went on waving away all appeals. The best passage of play in the half inevitably came from Dundalk when great work by Campbell and Quinn released Hoey down the right wing. He pulled the ball back for Tony Izzi who on the run from 20 yards out flashed a right footed shot but wide of the post. The visitors, who should have been three up at this stage wasted another chance before the break when Anto Reilly after a fabulous run elected not to pass to the available Morrisroe or Izzi and went for goal himself. The shot was blocked, however Reillys performance in the first half was very encouraging and he was in the end unlucky not to be on the scoresheet. At half time the score was 0-0 but Longford knew that they were lucky to be going in level with their opponents, who should have had the points in the bag at this stage.

The way the second half started added more weight to the opinion that Dundalk could rue the missed chances of the opening period. Longford slowed the game down and concentrated on trying to stifle Dundalk going forward and especially Morrisroe and Reilly who had been dangerous in the first half. It worked and Longford started to move forward with more conviction. Longford right winger Stephen Gavin had been having a good game and was giving David Crawley a torrid time. On 56 minutes he got around the left back and put in a wonderful cross to the back post where Connolly and Whelan were caught in a mess and the predatory Keith O'Connor was able to knock the ball with his head into the far corner of the net. After a similar passage of play resulted in Parsons heading straight at Connolly moments before Dundalk should have learnt their lesson then. Four minutes later Morrisroe and Reilly were withdrawn, and were replaced by Derek Thornton and Mark Reid respectively. Longford also made substitutions at this time as the game turned into a midfield battle. Paddy Quinn was getting more of the ball on the right wing than any other player and his pace got him into good situations. On more than once though, his touch let him down at vital moments. Paul Campbell and John Flanagan were two of Dundalks best performers during this period and quick thinking by the former almost allowed Tony Izzi in fifteen minutes from time but despite getting past O'Brien the Italian could not get to the ball before a Longford defender got back. David Hoey had a good chance eight minutes earlier but had attempted an ambitious lob when a lower effort with more power was required. Mark Reids headed effort on 82 minutes straight at O'Brien was the only other noteworthy effort in the half hour after the Longford goal. Longford had more possession but did not force John Connolly into making a save. The game honestly looked to be beyond Dundalk despite two late changes which saw Melvin go up front to make a 3-4-3 formation and Derek Delany came on to replace David Hoey. With time ticking away it looked like these changes weren't going to have any effect, until on 90 minutes for the eighth time this season a game involving Dundalk ended with a goal in the dying seconds.

It came about when Delany picked the ball up inside the Dundalk half and played a hopeful ball forward. Campbell helped it along the touchline and the ball looked to be going out but Paddy Quinn, who didn't have a memorable game heroically managed to keep the ball in and in doing so hooked the ball across into the penalty area where Noel Melvin got away from his marker to meet the ball on the volley from 12 yards high into the Longford net and finally past Longford keeper Stephen O'Brien to spark jubilant scenes on and off the pitch. From the tip Dundalk came forward but time had run out and despite a late free kick for either side the scoreline remained the same.

It was on the whole a good performance by Dundalk, a performance which was almost wasted. Again missed chances almost cost Dundalk dear, in a sense they did with the timing of the last minute equaliser glossing over the fact that this was a game that should never have come to that situation. It should have been over at half time and the Dundalk players know that, yet they will again be buoyed by the manner in which this point was achieved.

John Flanagan was outstanding for Dundalk in the centre of midfield. Paul Campbell was another played who excelled at right back with Noel Melvin commanding in central defence and his goal added the icing on the cake to a fine performance from the centre back. Tony Izzi again showed his sharpness of feet when given the ball on the ground while Anto Reilly was desperately unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet.

Kilkenny is the team which both these sides will face in their next match. For Dundalk, it is an opportunity to show the home crowd how well they can play at their best, which they have failed to do at home this season apart from the occasional sporadic burst. If the passion and commitment on and off the pitch can be repeated for the final six games then this side has a fantastic chance of being promoted. Although the missed chances in this game were more to do with brilliance from the home goalkeeper it again showed that when you have the chances and the possession you simply have to take advantage of it, for the second week in succession Dundalk almost threw away points. What this game showed to me was, Dundalk are a far better side than Longford and if the Midlanders go up at the end of the season, it will be more to do with promotion being handed to them on a plate by Dundalk than being a better side than the Lilywhites. Lets hope that situation does not arise.

DUNDALK FC

1 John Connolly 6

2 Paul Campbell 8

3 David Crawley 6

4 David Hoey 6

5 Paul Whelan 7

6 Noel Melvin 8

7 John Flanagan 9

8 Paddy Quinn 7

9 Anto Reilly 7

10 Tony Izzi 7

11 Brian Morrisroe 7

SUBS

14 Derek Thornton 6 for Morrisroe

15 Mark Reid 6 for Reilly

12 Derek Delany 6 for Hoey