Despite not playing anywhere near to their considerable potential Dundalk still cruised to an emphatic victory at Terryland Park.

 

On loan defender Michael Hector was the unlikely goalscoring hero grabbing a brace for Ian Foster’s team, who overcame a shaky start to secure three valuable points in the west against Galway United.

The Tribesmen are enduring an especially bleak spell and there was little to enthuse about apart from their determination as Galway lost for the fifth game in a row.

Something had to give in the west as the team with the worst home record in the League were hosting Dundalk, who had the second worst form on the road.

Interestingly Galway boss Sean Connor opted for a new 4-3-3 formation with wingers Shane Keogh and Karl Moore allowed stay high up the pitch to support Alan Murphy.

A decent Moore delivery in the seventh minute was well gathered by Dundalk custodian Peter Cherrie as the underdogs sought to make a positive start.

In attack there were glimpses of Alan Murphy’s talent and one cute reverse flick released Shane Keogh, who was well tackled by Shane Guthrie at the end of a first quarter that was short on goalmouth incident.

Dundalk, though, hit the front in the 33rd minute as Galway failed to deal with a routine set piece situation as Michael Hector’s header from a Daniel Kearns free kick crept over the line.

Galway did come close to restoring parity, but an Alan Murphy strike deflected off the wall away to safety and then Dundalk inflicted further damage four minutes before the interval.

Mark Quigley offered a reminder of his considerable ability curling a delightful right footed shot around Greg Fleming’s despairing dive to give the Louth outfit a scarcely merited two goal cushion.

After the restart Galway had a couple of opportunities Murphy was thwarted by a Peter Cherrie save on 49 during a burst of home pressure.

Seven minutes later Gary Kelly directed a header into Murphy’s path, but the Galway attacker was unable to hit the target.

Dundalk’s physicality was threatening Galway and Hector reacted quickly in the area to score in the 70th minute following a Keith Ward free kick.

Galway United: Fleming; Sinnott, Maher, Walsh, Eduardo; Feeney, Sean Kelly, Gary Kelly (E Curran, 65); Keogh (Gilmore, 60), Murphy, Moore.

Dundalk: Cherrie; Madden, Hector, Guthrie, Murphy; Kearns, McDonnell (Hawkins, 90), Ward, Gaynor; Quigley (Breen, 62), Byrne (Griffin, 73).

Referee: P Sutton (Clare).