Late Dundalk goal denies Tullamore a famous win

Tullamore travelled to Dundalk last Saturday and were denied a famous victory when the home side equalised six minutes into injury time. Forced to play with only ten men for 70 minutes, they produced one of their best performances of the season. With the back four of Michael Kenaney, Brendan Bracken, Eoghan O'Shea and Shane Mannion outstanding, goalkeeper Joe Mooney had a relatively untroubled afternoon. In midfield Stephen Francis and Stephen Duffy controlled affairs and were ably assisted by Ross Whittaker and Mark Goodings while up front Michael Hoey had what was probably his best game of the season. Tullamore started brightly and nearly opened their account after 15 minutes when Hoey sent Simon Keegan clear but the keeper saved superbly. With 20 minutes gone disaster struck when Kevin Duffy was sent off in controversial circumstances when the linesman called the referee's attention to an off the ball incident. Manager Tony Albin pulled Mark Goodings back into midfield leaving Michael Hoey to plough a lone furrow up front. Despite this setback they continued to dominate and, on the stroke of half-time, they hit the front when Stephen Francis played a lovely ball through to Hoey and he held off two defenders before drilling his shot into the bottom corner. On the restart they should have gone further ahead when Francis made a great run through the home defence and cut the ball back to Ross Whittaker but his shot drifted agonisingly wide of the far post. With an hour gone, they again went close when Brendan Bracken got on the end of a Stephen Duffy free kick to send a bullet header inches over. As Tullamore began to tire, the home side came more into the game but their defence held firm with Joe Mooney only called into action with five minutes left when he dealt expertly with a snapshot. With the game deep into time added on, Dundalk won a corner and when the ball was swung in their centre-half rose to power his header goalwards, with Michael Kenaney blocking it at the post but the referee deemed the ball had crossed the line. It was a heartbreaking end to a fine match that was packed full of outstanding performances from the visitors but special mention must go to young Michael Kenaney who had a brilliant game at full-back. Tullamore finish their League campaign next Saturday when they make the long trip north to take on Derry City in the Brandywell. Tullamore: Joe Mooney, Michael Kenaney, Brendan Bracken, Eoghan O'Shea, Shane Mannion, Stephen Francis, Kevin Duffy, Stephen Duffy, Ross whittaker, Simon Keegan and Michael Hoey. Subs: Mark Goodings and Fergal Gorman.