Dundalk keep slim hopes of European qualification alive with win over Bohemians

Dundalk 2 Bohemians 0

The long-term future of Dundalk might be up in the air but late goals from Paul Doyle and Daniel Kelly against Bohemians at Oriel Park has given the Louth side an outside chance of European football next year heading into the final day of the season.

The Lilywhites were forced to issue a statement on the eve of the game to say they are in ongoing investment talks which they hope to resolve soon.

One of the many stories to break from the camp throughout the week was the news that captain and all-time leading goalscorer Patrick Hoban had been told he was free to find another club next season despite having a year left on his current deal.

The 32-year-old was benched by Stephen O’Donnell for the second week running but proved the game changer as he set up both goals for fellow substitutes Doyle and Kelly to see the Lilywhites leapfrog Bohs into fifth.

Declan Devine’s side are now outsiders for the race for fourth place, which Shelbourne currently lead, and may have to rely on winning the FAI Cup against St Patrick’s Athletic on November 12th to ensure their European place.

In a tight affair, Jonathan Afolabi went closest to a first half breakthrough for the visitors when he was denied by Nathan Shepperd in the first minute.

James Talbot was then called into action for the first time four minutes after the restart as he made a great stop to keep out Ryan O’Kane’s effort from the edge of the box.

The breakthrough would arrive within seconds of Hoban’s introduction on 78 minutes. He got his header on Benson’s corner ahead of McDonnell with Doyle on hand to rifle in right footed from a tight angle on the right.

After Afolabi had missed two big chances to level, the game was then put to bed in the second