Dundalk 1 Monaghan U 2:JORDAN Keegan hit a brace as Monaghan United came back from a goal down to win the Airtricity League Premier Division basement battle with Dundalk at Oriel Park last night.
Michael Rafter gave Dundalk the lead inside the first 25 seconds of the match.
The Tipperary-born striker collected a pass from Stephen McDonnell before cracking a terrific low shot past goalkeeper Michael Schlingermann from 20 yards.
Rafter was denied a second goal by Schlingermann’s palms after good set-up play by Gareth Coughlan. And then Coughlan himself flashed a volley and then a free-kick just over the bar as Dundalk looked to press home their advantage.
Monaghan did have good spells of possession, with Tony Griffiths going close with a free but they drew level in the 48th minute when Keegan’s 25-yard screamer found the top corner of Peter Cherrie’s net.
That gave Monaghan the impetus and they secured only their second win of the season when Keegan again beat Cherrie with a scuffed effort from inside the penalty area in the 63rd minute.
DUNDALK: Cherrie, McLaughlin, Foran, Burns, Osborne, Mountney, Shields, McDonnell (Griffin 66min), Coughlan (Reilly, 73min), Shanahan (McKenna, 80min).
MONAGHAN UNITED: Schlingermann, Maher, McMahon, Whelan, Reynor; Keegan, Quinn, McDonagh, Marks (OConnor, h-t) (Humphrey, 86min); Murphy (Ryan, 68min), Griffiths.
Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).
