A fixture that looked like it wouldn’t get started because of generator issues at Porterstown Road ended with the lights going out on Dundalk’s PTSB Leinster Senior Cup campaign as Dean Casey helped himself to a brace to shoot St Mochta’s into the semi-finals.
The Leinster Senior League side were worthy winners against a strong Lilywhites team that featured the likes of Daryl Horgan, Paul Doyle, Zak Bradshaw, Robbie Mahon and Ryan O’Kane.
Youngsters Tom McLoughlin, Luke Mulligan and Sean Keogh started alongside Hayden Muller in the backline and McLoughlin did well to hack a Jake Donnelly effort to safety as the hosts pushed for an opener.
It eventually arrived just short of the half-hour when Casey darted in behind Mulligan on the Mochta’s left and placed the ball past the advancing Ross Munro.
Eoin Kenny had Dundalk’s clearest sightings of goal but the visitors were left with an uphill task when Casey added a second in the 33rd minute to put Glen Crowe’s side firmly in the box seat.
Paul Doyle jumps over St Mochtas’ Luke Kelly in the PTSB Leinster Senior Cup tie at Porterstown Road. Top: Luke Mulligan goes past Luke McWilliams. Photos: Martin Doherty
Stephen O’Donnell made changes in the second half with youngsters Vincent Leonard, Conor O’Gorman and Scott Brady all thrown into the fray but Mochta’s goalkeeper Adam Hayden enjoyed a trouble-free half as Dundalk failed to turn their possession into chances.
Indeed, it was Munro who was called into action to prevent the hosts from adding a third; the Scot making a good stop to deny substitute Gareth McCaffrey and Aaron Montgomery in the dying stages of a night to forget in Clonsilla.
ST MOCHTA’S: Adam Hayden, Luke Kelly, Ciaran Grogan, Conor Dunne, Luke McWilliams, Alex O’Hanlon (Glenn Shannon 71), Alex Kelly, Daragh Owens (Thompson 81), Liam Brady (Oliver Dunne 81), Dean Casey (Aaron Montgomery 86); Jake Donnelly (Gareth McCaffrey 71).
DUNDALK FC: Ross Munro, Luke Mulligan, Tom McLoughlin (Vincent Leonard 63), Hayden Muller, Sean Keogh, Zak Bradshaw (Scott Brady 85), Paul Doyle, Robbie Mahon, Daryl Horgan, Ryan O’Kane, Eoin Kenny (Conor O’Gorman 68). Sub not sued: Sean Molloy (GK).
REFEREE: Daniel Murphy.
