Finn Harps are brushed aside as Dundalk secure promotion and First Division title

Dundalk FC have secured promotion to the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division as First Division champions, following a commanding 3–0 victory over Finn Harps in front of a jubilant, capacity crowd at Oriel Park.

The Lilywhites entered the night knowing that to lift the trophy on home soil, they needed to at least equal the result of second-placed Cobh Ramblers, who faced Longford Town at Bishopsgate. 

In the end, Cobh’s 3–1 defeat rendered Dundalk’s result inconsequential — yet the home side left nothing to chance. Gbemi Arubi broke the deadlock early in the second half before captain Daryl Horgan calmly converted from the penalty spot moments later. Vinnie Leonard added a third deep into stoppage time to seal a memorable evening.

For manager Ciaran Kilduff, the triumph represents a remarkable achievement. In his debut season at the helm, he has guided Dundalk straight back to the Premier Division at the first time of asking — and with a game still to spare, away to Cobh next week.

Finn Harps proved disciplined and well-organised defensively, restricting Dundalk to long-range efforts for much of the first half. The hosts’ first real chance came just five minutes in, when Aodh Dervin’s shot sailed over the bar — moments after news filtered through that Longford had taken the lead against Cobh, sparking early cheers from the stands.

By the time Dundalk fashioned their next opening, Cobh had equalised. Horgan’s cross skidded across the face of goal before being cut out by Mikey Place, while Declan McDaid scuffed a follow-up wide. 

The best opportunity of the half arrived soon after, when Dervin’s right-wing delivery glanced off Joel Bradley-Walsh’s head into the path of Harry Groome, whose thunderous header rattled the crossbar.

Groome’s strike from distance was comfortably gathered by Harps goalkeeper Lorenzo Piaia, while Dervin went agonisingly close soon after with a curling effort that drifted inches wide. 

Dundalk pressed on — Shane Tracey saw his attempt blocked by Place, and Leonard fired narrowly over from range.

Five minutes before the interval, McDaid surged forward and fired just over, before Harps registered their first real chance of the night — Hans Mpongo forcing Peter Cherrie into a sharp save after good work from Ibrahima Pokou Bangoura. 

In stoppage time, Cherrie again came to Dundalk’s rescue, diving to his right to deny a Bradley-Walsh free-kick, in between angled efforts from Horgan and Arubi that were both kept out by Piaia.

Early in the second half, news broke that Longford had regained the lead over Cobh — a huge lift that was swiftly followed by Dundalk breaking the deadlock on 54 minutes. A mix-up between Bradley-Walsh and Idir Zerrouk gifted Conor O’Keeffe possession, and he squared for Arubi to slot home from close range, sending Oriel into raptures.

The celebrations only intensified five minutes later when Conor Tourish was adjudged to have handled inside the area. Horgan stepped up and confidently converted from the spot to make it 2–0, his effort met with an eruption of noise and relief.

When referee Declan Toland awarded a second penalty on 63 minutes — again for a foul by Tourish on Arubi — Horgan had the chance to double his tally, but Piaia guessed correctly to deny him. 

The miss mattered little; word soon spread that Cobh had fallen 3–1 behind, as the atmosphere inside Oriel turned from tension to pure celebration. Dervin fired narrowly wide, before Groome drew another save from Piaia.

Deep into stoppage time, Andy Paraschiv saw his shot saved before crossing for Leonard to nod home Dundalk’s third — a poetic finish from the man who also scored on the opening night of the campaign at the same venue.

The final whistle unleashed scenes of unbridled joy as supporters flooded the pitch to celebrate with their heroes. Moments later, amid cheers, chants, and a sea of black and white, Dundalk were presented with the First Division trophy for the third time in their storied history. 

After a season of grit, resilience, and redemption — The Lilywhites are back.

Dundalk FC: Peter Cherrie; Conor O’Keeffe, Mayowa Animasahun (Andy Paraschiv 78), Vinnie Leonard, JR Wilson; Aodh Dervin, Shane Tracey (Luke Mulligan 85); Declan McDaid (Norman Garbett 78), Harry Groome (Keith Ward 78), Daryl Horgan (Dean Ebbe 85); Gbemi Arubi

Finn Harps: Lorenzo Piaia; Mikey Place, Conor Tourish, Joel Bradley-Walsh, Idir Zerrouk; Oran Brogan, Tony McNamee (Conor McGranaghan 84); Gavin Gilmore (Adam McDaid 71), Ibrahima Pokou Bangoura (Aaron McLaughlin 71), Gradi Lomboto (Darragh Coyle 71); Hans Mpongo (Shaunie Bradley 80)

Referee: Declan Toland (Roscommon)