Football | Dundalk crush Linfield to win Champions Cup
6' GOAL! Dundalk 1-0 Linfield - It's a lightning counter from the hosts and Georgie Kelly is perfectly positioned to slot home from close range #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/BZiGClJmH1 — Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) November 11, 2019 Brian Gartland doubled Dundalk's lead on the night 10 minutes later, powering a free header into the net from eight yards from Duffy's corner. Linfield's marking at the set piece left a lot to be desired, in what was to become a familiar refrain as the night wore on. David Healy's visitors were without star player Shayne Lavery, who was missing due to international commitments with Northern Ireland.
16' GOAL! Dundalk 2-0 Linfield (3-1 on agg) - Brian Gartland has the freedom of Oriel Park to nod home a second for the Lilywhites #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/c3obLoqbnb — Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) November 11, 2019 Rohan Ferguson won't want to see any replays of Dundalk's third goal. The Linfield goalkeeper scrambled from his goals in the 34th minute to prevent a back pass from going behind for a corner, but his botched clearance went straight to Duffy 25 yards from goal. Duffy controlled the loose ball before teeing up McGrath on the edge of the box, with the Meath teenager finding the bottom corner with an excellent low strike from 20 yards.
34' GOAL! Dundalk 3-0 Linfield (4-1 on agg) - It's a nice finish from Jamie McGrath, but was the ball out of play? #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/0Xgo6FeUPT — Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) November 11, 2019 The home side led 3-0 at the interval, but would plunder three more goals in the second half. Benson, who has been heavily linked with a move away from the league champions, recorded goal number four for the Lilywhites in the 64th minute. The midfielder burst forward from a deep position, driving into the box before lifting the ball over Ferguson beautifully to make it 4-0.
64' GOAL! Dundalk 4-0 Linfield (5-1 on agg) - Delightful dinked finish from Robbie Benson. That's game set and match #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/Qeq0hyFVdN — Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) November 11, 2019 11 minutes later, Dundalk scored their fifth goal. Georgie Kelly scored his second goal of the night after a flowing move from the Lilywhites down the left. Duffy eventually shifted out to Dan Kelly on the left flank, and his measured cross was headed home by his namesake in the box.
75' GOAL! Dundalk 5-0 Linfield (6-1 on agg) - A tale of two Kellys, Daniel finds Georgie, and it's five at Oriel Park #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/FBY4r6POkq — Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) November 11, 2019 Hoban got in on the act with five minutes left on the clock, with Linfield's marking from a set piece letting them down once again. The Lilywhites striker wriggled free in the box to head Duffy's corner past Ferguson to round off an emphatic win for the SSE Airtricity League champions.
85' GOAL! Dundalk 6-0 Linfield (7-1 on agg) - Pat Hoban gets in on the act as the goals keep coming #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/ibMKTRAEmb — Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) November 11, 2019 Dundalk's win sees them claim the cup's €50,000 prize.