Republic of Ireland round-up: Dundalk triumph at Longford

Dundalk FC earned an excellent 3-1 win at Longford Town FC on Saturday to rekindle their hopes of survival in the FAI National League.

Haylock double
Two goals from Garry Haylock and a strike from Ciaran Kavanagh saw the visitors overwhelm Longford in a clinical first-half performance in front of goal at Flancare Park. Kavanagh opened the scoring with his first league goal of the season after 18 minutes when Longford goalkeeper Stephen O'Brien spilled Martin Reilly's shot. The move was Dundalk's first meaningful attack of the half as they broke quickly following a Longford corner.

Superb finish
Two minutes later, Haylock added a second for Dundalk and he added a third for the visitors a minute from the break when he smashed a shot past O'Brien from the edge of the area.

Dundalk hold firm
Longford, who had started the match impressively before Dundalk found their range in front of goal, rallied in the second half and pulled a goal back after 54 minutes when Danny Spiller finished with a low shot from Shay Zellor's cross. Indeed, the Midlanders had a chance to reduce the deficit even further on the hour when Stephen McGuinness was adjudged to have fouled Eric Lavine inside the penalty area, but John Connolly saved Spiller's spot-kick as Dundalk held on. With five matches remaining, Dundalk now lie four points behind Longford with a marginally inferior goal difference.