Dundalk derby win boosts their European hopes

Dundalk gave their hopes of qualifying for Europe next season a huge boost as they came from behind to beat their neighbours Drogheda Utd in the 175th Louth Derby at Oriel Park.

Things looked bleak for Stephen O'Donnell’s side when Kyle Robinson put the Boynesiders ahead on 25 minutes - the 25th time in 39 matches the Lilywhites have fallen behind this season.

However, Paul Doyle got them back on level terms five minutes before the break before second half strikes from Daniel Kelly and Patrick Hoban saw them claim their fourth victory over their county rivals this season.

The result, coupled with Shelbourne’s defeat to Shamrock Rovers, has seen Dundalk close the gap on Damien Duff’s men to just a single point ahead of their trip to Tolka Park next week.

They are also just three points behind fourth placed Bohemians, who visit Oriel Park at the end of October.

It was Doyle who had the first attempt of the game on 11 minutes but his effort sailed harmlessly over.

Sam Durrant, who scored the first goal of his senior career against Cork City on Monday, then had an incredible miss 10 minutes later when he somehow fired over from about three yards out after getting on the end of Daniel Kelly's drilled ball in from the right.

It took until the 24th minute for Drogheda to register their first attempt and they were unlucky not to take the lead from it as Adam Foley broke in from the right to beat Nathan Shepperd from the tightest of angles only for the ball to rebound to safety off the near post.

Kevin Doherty’s side would hit the front a minute later though with Robinson, who had only replaced Ryan Brennan five minutes earlier, slotting past the advancing Shepperd after being slipped in by a superb ball in from the left by Dayle Rooney