Dundalk getting their mojo back at the right time, says Vinny Perth

Vinny Perth believes Dundalk are hitting their straps just in time for Friday's meeting with the side that looks best equipped to take their title.

It was only four games ago that the Lilywhites lost to Sligo, on the back of losing to St Pat's, while Shamrock Rovers settled into top spot in the table.

Yesterday, though, Perth's side made it three league wins on the spin.

"We're starting get players back and we're starting to see a bit more of what we're about," said Perth.

Dundalk have to respond to the concession of an 11th minute goal as Yoyo Mahdy took advantage of a defensive parting of the ways to fire home Conor Davis' through ball.

The lead only lasted four minutes as, after Daniel Kelly was fouled in the box by Paul Doyle, Pat Hoban dispatched the penalty to join Joey Donnelly on 69 league goals for the club.

It took 76 years for Donnelly's record to be equalled.

Hoban should have surpassed it with a free header in front of goal but Conor Kearns saved. "I should have two more," he admitted.

"The header's the one I’m more disappointed with.

"It’s a brilliant achievement to equal a record for Dundalk. I’ve done it in under three and a half seasons, I’m delighted but I definitely want to set a marker for it to be very hard to beat in the future.

"Then Michael Duffy smashed a volley home - a millisecond after ref Damien McGraith had blown for half-time.

"The ref felt the ball was cleared so he blew the whistle," said Perth.

"It was clearly falling onto Michael's foot, so I don't think it was clear at that stage."

But Duffy did score a quality second after a lovely back flick on 50 minutes before Hoban was booked for diving for a penalty.

After a shaky last 10 minutes, Dundalk finished the contest with sub Georgie Kelly's 92nd minute goal.

The Students have lost by the same scoreline twice to Dundalk this season, having taken the lead both times.

But UCD boss Collie O'Neill no longer believes they're the team to beat.

“No, for me Rovers are the team to beat, by far", said O'Neill. "They were the ones that I was really impressed with."

And his money is on Rovers on Friday. “Absolutely, yeah," O'Neill nodded. "It’s just the tempo Shamrock Rovers play at. It’s different”.

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