Cork City 1 Dundalk 2

Richie Towell kept up his wonderful scoring record as Dundalk struck the first big blow in the title race at Turner’s Cross last night.

The midfielder’s eighth and ninth league goals of the season - following his hat-trick against Galway United on Monday - helped Stephen Kenny’s side to come from behind against Cork City.

Last season, it was wins in the three games between the clubs which ultimately proved decisive in giving Dundalk the title. That fact, and a five-point lead at the top - Shamrock Rovers can move to within four with a win against Limerick today - will leave them feeling pleased this morning.

The hosts had four changes from the 2-0 win over Longford Town. Alan Bennett returned in place of Dan Murray in defence while captain John Dunleavy joined Colin Healy in a double-pivot in midfield, allowing Liam Miller to push forward as Garry Buckley missed out.

John O’Flynn came in to lead the line in place of Mark O’Sullivan while Karl Sheppard’s selection wide on the right was at the expense of Kieran Djilali.

Dundalk’s only alteration following the 3-0 victory against Galway was the return from suspension of goalkeeper Gary Rogers instead of Gabriel Sava. Rogers might have been tested inside two minutes as Colin Healy’s corner kick found Sheppard unmarked but he headed over from eight yards.

Not long after that, Cork left-back Ross Gaynor’s searching pass over the top gave O’Flynn an opening. While he have taken the ball on or played it right to Billy Dennehy, he opted to test Rogers early with a half-volley but was too high with his effort.

The Lilywhites got going then, though, and enjoyed a period of dominance. Former Cork man Daryl Horgan tested Mark McNulty, Towell had a shot blocked after Horgan and McMillan linked well and then Ronan Finn’s effort was held by the goalkeeper at the second attempt.

City’s rhythm was no doubt affected by the loss of Dunleavy, whose game only lasted 20 minutes, as he had to be stretchered off after an awkward landing following an atrial tussle in midfield.

While his replacement Garry Buckley was by no means a downgrade, it meant that Miller had to drop back and Dundalk continued to weave nice patterns around the edge of their attacking third.

In the 27th minute, Horgan went closer than anyone as his 25-yard-shot crashed off the crossbar, but the home side made the most of that let-off as they hit the front five minutes later.

There was more than an element of fortune to it. After Billy Dennehy’s corner from the right was cleared, full-back John Kavanagh returned the ball to Dennehy and his in-swinging cross glanced off Dundalk captain Andy Boyle, deceiving Rogers.

Buoyed by the noise levels from the 6,900 capacity crowd, Cork had momentum now and Dennehy was given another chance from Healy’s reverse pass but his shot didn’t do enough to test Rogers.

Just when it looked as if they would take the lead in at half-time, however, Dundalk struck. They had shown signs before that as Darren Meenan had a shot blocked and in the 47th minute of the first half it was his corner which Mark McNulty weakly punched to Towell 12 yards out. Despite the mass of bogies between him and the goal, he placed his shot perfectly to ensure parity at the break and it got better for the champions upon the resumption.

Again, the 47th minute proved bountiful. McMillan showed great control to bring down a Towell clearance on his chest way out on the left and he posed problems for Darren Dennehy and Alan Bennett as he made his war towards the area. It was Dennehy who rashly slid in and referee Rob Rogers had an easy decision in awarding a penalty.

Plenty of time remained, but Cork’s efforts for an equaliser lacked the final thrust, despite the introduction of strikers Mark O’Sullivan and Rob Lehane, though Bennett did go close from another corner and Sheppard had a chance at the death.

McMillan might have made it 3-1 with a thunderous shot which came back off the post but Dundalk had done enough.

Cork City: McNulty; Kavanagh, Bennett, D Dennehy, Gaynor (Lehane 84); Dunleavy (Buckley 20), Healy; B Dennehy, Miller, Sheppard; O’Flynn (O’Sullivan 65).

Dundalk: Rogers; Gannon, Gartland, Boyle, Massey; Towell, Shields; Meenan (Mountney 74), Finn (O’Donnell 62), Horgan (Grimes 79); McMillan.

Referee: R Rogers (Dublin).

Attendance: 6,900.