FULL TIME: A brace of goals from Darragh Leahy and the 130th goal for Patrick Hoban gave Dundalk a commanding 3-0 win over rivals and neighbours Drogheda United in the Louth Derby. The left-back scored his first two goals for the club on each side of the half before Hoban converted a second-half penalty to seal the tie. Ryan Brennan did pull one back late in the game for Drogheda however Dundalk was not finished scoring as John Martin added another strike as the bragging rights are now in the Lilywhites favour for a few weeks at least.

His second goal at home in succession as John Martin adds gloss to the tie to make it 4-1.

Three added minutes here at Oriel.

Brennan pulls one back as he breaks the defensive slipt and curls the ball past Sheppard. Game on?

Another few changes: Ryan O'Kane is on for Keith Ward and for Drogheda Mo Boudiaf is on for Dayle Rooney.

What a chance, Martin latches onto a great cross and his curling effort is deflected for a corner.

Triple change for Dundalk as Bone comes on for Sloggett, McMillan comes on for Hoban and Martin comes on for Kelly

What a save! Andy Quinn breaks into the area and his effort was well saved by Sheppard.

Ryan Brennan's effort on goal is well saved by Sheppard but it was offside.

Tonights Attendance: 2832

WHAT A SAVE: A pin perfect cross from Keith Ward finds Daniel Kelly at the back post, he hits it on the volley and Sam Long does excellently to save it.

Dundalk almost add a fourth as another clever delivery from Ward is met by Andy Boyle at the back post but the goal evades him.

James Clarke on for Chris Lyons and Dylan Grimes on for Georgie Poynton in a double change for Drogheda.

Brian Gartland comes on for Mark Connolly

That is goal number 130 in a Dundalk FC shirt now for Patrick Hoban.

GOAL: And Hoban converts it! While the decision was harsh they all count and it's 3-0 to the home side.

PENALTY! Keith Cowan handles the ball and its a penalty to Dundalk.

Ryan Brennan comes on for Darragh Nugent.

GOAL! The initial build-up from Keith Ward and Patrick Hoban sets up Joe Adams who crosses it into the area, Darragh Leahy who made a run stayed up and was on hand to tap it home.

WHAT A CHANCE: He did all the hard work, beat the last man and was off to the races, he went for place instead of power and he goes wide.

We are back underway at Oriel Park, Drogheda restarts the contest.

HALF TIME: Dundalk leads 1-0 thanks to a first career goal for Dundalk for Darragh Leahy.

Greg Sloggett is absolutely livid with referee Sean Grant after going under a dangerous challenge, he is ok to continue.

Two added minutes here at the end of the first half.

Keith Cowan with a great chance at the back post from a corner but he heads it wide.

Stephen O'Donnell gets a yellow card for protesting too much over a challenge.

GOAL! Keith Ward with a stunning free kick that strikes off the cross bar and Darragh Leahy was on hand to tap it home with a header.

Connolly is down injured but he looks ok to continue.

Hoban gets the ball on the edge of the area and he hits a low effort that flies past Long but it strikes the side netting.

CHANCE: Another Joe Adams cross and another Hoban header - this time it was headed down onto the ground but Dundalk starting to ask questions of the Drogheda defence.

CHANCE: Joe Adams with a great cross into the area and Hoban was the man on hand to rise above the defence but his header goes over the bar.

Dundalk with a strong phase of play on the Drogheda backline, Keith Ward did the ball into the area but the defensive lines were cleared.

The game has been quiet in the past few minutes, not much in terms of action as both sides battling for possession, Drogheda seem to have a game plan of using their pace with Dayle Rooney looking to try and beat Mark Connolly for pace at every opportunity.

CHANCE: A free-kick whipped in was nearly met by Dane Massey at the back post who nearly made contact with it to come back and haunt his old club.

Nathan Sheppard had to be alert there as Chris Lyons looked certain to snatch the ball at the back post.

A fantastic free-kick sent in by Keith Ward was almost met by Sloggett at the back post, it just evades him at the crucial time.

There have been a few minutes of a delay here as Sean Roughan receives treatment. It's a free-kick to Dundalk on the pitch.

First corner to Dundalk after Dane Massey heads it behind, its headed goalwards by Patrick Hoban but it takes a deflection and Long does well to save.

And we are underway for the 99th Louth Derby here at Oriel Park, Dundalk kicks us off with Keith Ward starting proceedings.

Keith Ward is Dundalk's one change this evening - in for the suspended Steven Bradley With 6 goals, Keith Ward has scored more against Drogheda than any other opponent in his career. His 2nd career hat-trick came in Bohs’ 4-1 win at Head in the Game Park on September 15th 2017

Dundalk’s last home win over Drogheda came just over a year ago on April 24th 2021 when Jim Magilton clinched his first victory as interim manager courtesy of a 2-1 scoreline with goals from David McMillan and Han Jeong-woo. Chris Lyons got a late consolation for the visitors..

It’s the 169th Louth Derby match tonight. Dundalk have won 91, Drogheda have won 37 while there have been 40 draws. It’s also the 99th league meeting between the Louth rivals. Dundalk have won 53, Drogheda 20, while there have been 25 draws.

Game number eighty in management tonight for Stephen O’Donnell. His record to date reads W34 D23 L22 with 111 goals for and 84 against.

Good Evening from Oriel Park, Dundalk FC take on Drogheda in the Louth Derby where it's not just the three points that are on the case - it's the pride of the county.