Daryl Horgan’s 54th-minute goal lifted Dundalk off the bottom of the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division table as they collected a record-extending eighth consecutive clean-sheet at Oriel Park with a 1-0 win over Sligo Rovers on Thursday night.

In the final round of fixtures before the midseason break for the Euro 2024 group stages, Dundalk had the better of the chances in the opening half-hour where Robbie Benson and Cami Elliott had shots blocked before Zak Bradshaw dragged a shot wide.

Hayden Muller headed off the crossbar before the half-time whistle, but Dundalk were ahead nine minutes after the resumption when Ryan O’Kane created the opening for Horgan who was coolness personified in finishing past Ed McGinty.

Goalkeeper Seán Molloy of Dundalk during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Sligo Rovers at Oriel Park, Dundalk. Photo by Gerry Scully.

McGinty’s counterpart, 19-year-old Seán Molloy was making his home debut for Dundalk and he collected a number of balls under pressure as the hosts kept Sligo at bay, with the Bit O’Red having camped in their half for a lot of the remaining time.

With Sligo pushing forward, Dundalk could have added a second on the break, with substitute Eoin Kenny going close after Horgan had made the opportunity, but the experienced winger’s strike would ultimately prove enough to give Jon Daly his first home win in charge.

For the game, Daly made three changes to the team that lost out narrowly at league leaders Shelbourne six days earlier. Bradshaw returned from England following compassionate leave, joining Benson and Elliott in the starting XI.

Zak Bradshaw of Dundalk and Fabrice Hartmann of Sligo Rovers in action during their SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match at Oriel Park, Dundalk. Photo by Gerry Scully.

Club captain John Mountney was on the bench while top scorer Jamie Gullan and Mayowa Animasahun, who both came off in Tolka Park, did not make the matchday squad. Sligo made a single change to their heavy loss in Waterford as Will Fitzgerald made a first start since scoring in Drogheda almost two months ago, following injury, replacing Owen Elding.

In the seventh minute, Dundalk threatened through Benson but he could not get a clean connection as Sligo did enough to avert the danger. Five minutes later, Fitzgerald broke in on the left of the box for the visitors but skipper Andy Boyle dug the cross out of the six-yard box.

At the quarter-hour, Elliott almost had a sight of goal but he delayed his shot and eventually Sligo blocked and cleared. Sligo have shown an appetite for long-range goals this season and Ellis Chapman attempted to tee up a shot outside the area but Archie Davies tracked back well and took the ball off his boot.

Zak Johnson of Dundalk rises for a corner during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Sligo Rovers at Oriel Park, Dundalk. Photo by Gerry Scully.

At the 30-minute mark, Dundalk went close when Paul Doyle pulled the ball back for Bradshaw who dragged a left-footed effort across the face of goal and wide of the far post, the ball taking a touch off a Sligo player on the way but a goal-kick was awarded.

On 39 minutes, Dundalk put together a good flowing move involving O’Kane, Horgan and Davies whose cross from the by-line was met by Muller whose shot was blocked behind by Fitzgerald. From Horgan’s corner, Muller headed off the crossbar.

At the start of the second half, Dundalk forced a couple of corners, the first from Horgan headed on at the near post by Connor Malley with the ball only clearing the crossbar by inches.

Daryl Horgan of Dundalk celebrates with Ryan O’Kane and Cami Elliott after scoring the first goal during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Sligo Rovers at Oriel Park, Dundalk. Photo by Gerry Scully.

Sligo were on the front foot when Dundalk broke the deadlock on 54 minutes, the Lilywhites launching a quick break with O’Kane’s pace instrumental as he broke into the middle of the park before playing the perfect pass into the path of Horgan who finished clinically.

Past the hour mark, good build-up play from the impressive Bradshaw set Muller up for a shot but, after clever footwork, again a Sligo body got in the way. John Russell then made a double substitution for the Bit O’Red as they looked for a leveller.

Sligo were enjoying plenty of possession and continually probed around the Dundalk area, but Molloy was having little to do. What he had to do, collecting a number of crosses, he did confidently to take any pressure off the backline.

Ryan O’Kane of Dundalk and Fabrice Hartmann of Sligo Rovers in action during their SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match at Oriel Park, Dundalk. Photo by Gerry Scully.

On 69 minutes, O’Kane cut inside from the left and hit a well-struck shot but McGinty got behind it. Mountney then entered for Benson, and shortly after, there was a double switch for the home side as Sam Durrant and Kenny were called upon.

On 83 minutes, Doyle fired from distance, a shot which looked close to going into the top corner, with a touch taking it behind. As Dundalk looked for a second and insurance goal, Boyle rose to meet a corner but it was straight at McGinty.

Horgan then closed down a clearance from the Sligo stopper – the ‘keeper with the most saves in the division this season – which eventually gave an opportunity to Kenny close to the goal-line but he could not bundle it in at the near post and then Durrant could not finish, as Sligo just about stayed in it.

Zak Bradshaw of Dundalk applauds The Shed after the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Sligo Rovers at Oriel Park, Dundalk. Photo by Gerry Scully.

Dundalk, though, through four minutes of injury-time, saw the game out well, keeping it deep in Sligo territory to secure a priceless victory. It puts a three-point gap between themselves and bottom-of-the-table Drogheda United, with the goal difference also now swung in Daly’s men’s favour after the Boynesiders were hammered 3-0 in Galway.

The win also brings Dundalk to within six points of seventh-placed Sligo, and they can look forward to another night at Oriel Park after this break as Waterford come to the Carrick Road on Friday 28th June.

DUNDALK FC: Seán Molloy, Archie Davies, Zak Johnson, Andy Boyle, Zak Bradshaw, Hayden Muller, Paul Doyle, Daryl Horgan, Robbie Benson (John Mountney 72), Ryan O’Kane (Eoin Kenny 77), Cami Elliott (Sam Durrant 77). Subs not used: Peter Cherrie (GK), Jamie Walker, Louie Annesley, Robbie Mahon, Luke Mulligan, Seán Keogh.

SLIGO ROVERS: Ed McGinty, JR Wilson, Charlie Wiggett, Ollie Denham, Reece Hutchinson, Niall Morahan, Connor Malley (Stefan Radosavljevic 86), Fabrice Hartmann, Will Fitzgerald (Owen Elding 62), Ellis Chapman, Kailin Barlow (Wilson Waweru 61). Subs not used: Richard Brush (GK), Kyle Gabbidon (GK), Seán McAteer, Kyle McDonagh, Shea Malone, Daire Patton.

REFEREE: Paul McLaughlin.