DUNDALK eased into the fourth round of the FAI Ford Cup with a convincing 4-1 win over struggling Galway United at Oriel Park.

 

Ian Foster's side opened brightly and some nice hold up play by Johnny Breen set up Marc Griffin for the first chance after just two minutes but Galway 'keeper Greg Fleming did well to parry the ball wide.

Fleming had to be alert again soon after, saving well from Mark Quigley on two occasions before Shaun Kelly came to his side's rescue by hacking Daniel Kearns' deflected effort off the line.

The visitors took the lead against the run of play in the 13th minute. Mikey Gilmore got to the byline before pulling the ball back for Alan Murphy to lash home from 10-yards but Dundalk pulled level seven minutes later when Dean Bennett headed a Kearns corner to the net.

Kearns almost set Griffin up for Dundalk's second in the 34th minute, his cross just evading the inrushing striker but the Lilywhites did take a lead into the break when Breen lifted a beautiful finish over Fleming on the stroke of half-time.

The home support were up in arms after 73 minutes when referee Paul Tuite waved play on despite Shaun Maher holding a chunk of Griffin's shirt in the penalty area but the Dublin official pointed to the spot just seconds later when Kearns went down under a Stephen Walshe challenge and Quigley converted the spot-kick.

The result was put beyond doubt two minutes later when Kearns curled a free-kick through a crowd of bodies to put the seal on an impressive Dundalk win.

DUNDALK: Cherrie; Madden, Bennett, Guthrie, Gaynor; Kearns, Ward (Kerr 77), Bolger (Duffy 77), Quigley; Breen, Griffin.

GALWAY UNITED: Fleming; Shaun Kelly, Sinnott, Maher, Walshe; Moore (Keogh 63), Sean Kelly, Curran (Cash 51), Ryan (G Kelly 76); Gilmore, Murphy.

REFEREE: Paul Tuite (Dublin).