Dundalk Secure First Win in Over 600 Days, Injury Concerns for Goalkeeper Kearns
Dundalk’s 609-day wait for a Premier Division victory ended emphatically with a 5-0 thrashing of Waterford on Friday night, but the win was overshadowed by a potentially serious injury to goalkeeper Conor Kearns.
Dominant Performance from the Lilywhites
The newly promoted side hadn’t tasted victory in the top flight since a 4-2 win over Drogheda Utd on July 12, 2024. However, they had “little issue in putting his side to the sword” as Ronan Teahan, Declan McDaid, and Daryl Horgan all found the net, with substitute Eoin Kenny adding a late brace to complete the rout.
Kearns Injury Casts a Shadow
The one major concern for manager Ciarán Kilduff will be the injury to Kearns, who “departed in an ambulance after a 17-minute delay.” The nature of the injury is currently unknown.
Match Highlights
- Ronan Teahan opened the scoring for Dundalk in the 30th minute, marking his 100th league appearance.
- Declan McDaid extended the lead shortly before halftime.
- Daryl Horgan and Eoin Kenny (twice) added goals in the second half to seal the victory.
The home side were on the front foot from the start, with an early chance going begging when Harry Groome failed to capitalize on a mistake by Waterford goalkeeper Stephen McMullan. Kearns himself made a save to deny Tommy Lonergan shortly after.
“The one concern for Ciarán Kilduff will be the injury to Kearns, who departed in an ambulance after a 17-minute delay.”
A Danny Mullen goal was ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper in the 23rd minute. Waterford had a chance to equalize, but Conor Carty failed to convert with only Kearns to beat.
Second Half Surge and Late Drama
Dundalk continued to dominate in the second half, with Kearns suffering what appeared to be a serious knee injury after a collision. The 27-year-old was replaced by 42-year-old Peter Cherrie.
Despite the disruption, Dundalk continued to press, with Horgan adding a fourth goal in the 87th minute and Kenny completing the scoring with two late goals.
Team Lineups
Dundalk FC:
Kearns (Cherrie 85); T Wilson, O’Keeffe, Animasahun, Burns; Groome (Dervin 74), Buckley; McDaid (Kenny 89), Teahan, Horgan; Mullen (Arubi 89).
Waterford FC:
McMullan; Cann, Barrett (Glenfield HT), Mansfield; Voilas (Coyle HT), Heeney, McMenamy (McLaughlin 61), Dempsey; Noonan; Lonergan (Amond 61), Carty.
Referee: Marc Lynch.
FAQ
What was the final score of the match?
The final score was Dundalk 5 – 0 Waterford.
Who scored for Dundalk?
Ronan Teahan, Declan McDaid, Daryl Horgan, and Eoin Kenny (2) scored for Dundalk.
What happened to Conor Kearns?
Conor Kearns sustained a potentially serious injury and was taken off the pitch by ambulance after a 17-minute delay.
Did you understand? Dundalk’s victory was their first in the Premier Division in 609 days.
This dominant performance will undoubtedly boost Dundalk’s confidence as they look to establish themselves in the Premier Division. However, the injury to Conor Kearns is a significant concern, and his absence could have a major impact on the team’s fortunes.
Stay tuned to 247sports.news for further updates on Kearns’ condition and all the latest League of Ireland news.