Premier Division: Dundalk on verge of title after 3-2 win over Derry
Last updated on .From the section Irish
Dundalk all but wrapped up their fourth League of Ireland Premier Division title in five seasons by beating Derry City 3-2 on Tuesday night.
Stephen Kenny's side were 3-0 up by half-time through goals by Daniel Cleary, Pat McEleney and Pat Hoban.
It was a fifth successive league defeat for Derry who scored through a Dean Jarvis own goal and sub Ben Fisk.
Derry's Kevin McHattie was sent-off right at the end for bringing down sub Dylan Connolly who had raced clear.
Dundalk are 12 points clear with four games left and have a much better goal difference than their only rivals Cork.
The Lilywhites, runners-up to Cork last year, are on course for the double as they face UCD in the FAI Cup semi-finals on Friday.
Derry, seventh in the 10-team table, have won just four of their 15 away matches in the league this season.
The opening goal came in the 16th minute when Derry conceded what seemed an unnecessary free-kick.
Michael Duffy delivered the set-piece and defender Cleary rose to head in his second goal of the season.
It was 2-0 just four minutes later when former Derry player McEleney scored with a left-foot finish after being set up by Duffy.
It was McEleney's first goal since starting his second spell with Dundalk in July.
The hosts' top scorer Pat Hoban netted a delightful finish just before half-time to make it 3-0.
The 27-year-old, who has played a leading role in his side's success this year, cut inside to curl a right-foot shot past City keeper Gerard Doherty.
Hoban had the ball in the net again early in the second half but his header was disallowed for offside.
Derry got one back in the 70th minute through an own goal by their former player Jarvis.
Aidy Delap's shot was blocked by home keeper Gary Rogers and the ball came off the unfortunate Jarvis as he attempted to defend the situation.
Derry scored again in the 89th-minute through their Vancouver-born substitute Fisk who netted from a tight angle after rounding Rogers.
But it was not enough to deny the victory to Dundalk whose goal difference is 25 better than that of second-placed Cork.
