Lilywhites get the job half done in Solitude

Dundalk got over a nervy start in Belfast to take home a win from the first leg of the Setanta Cup semi final.

Cliftonville took the lead after singer fumbling in the Dundalk box allowed George McMullan strike home. The visitors took more control in their area after that, but the damage was done.

The night wasn't over, however, as Mark Quigley and Danny Kearns scored one each to give Dundalk the lead. Quigley scored his second to make it three for the lilywhites and give them a bit of padding on the cushion to be taken back to Oriel in two weeks time on March 18th.

Cliftonville keeper Duffin made it easy for Kearns to score the second, while Quigley worked both of his goals with the skill we're coming to expect from him.

A good performance all around from the men in...black...tonight, once they managed to get past the shaky beginnings.

A fantastic effort from the travelling fans, who were vocal, supportive and well behaved on tour once again. The team, including Ian Foster, were quick to acknowledge the fans at full time.

The tie is far from over, the job is merely half done. The club needs all fans to get to Oriel in 2 weeks time to back the team as they attempt to complete the task of earning a place in this year's Final. No mean feat for a club making its debut in this competition. Get your voices out to bring out the best Oriel Roar we've got for the home leg. Your club needs you!

3 goals and 3 points from footballing contest

Dundalk beat the students of UCD by 3 goals to 1 tonight to take all 3 points from a match that was all about the football. In a rare meeting between 2 honest footballing sides, the emphasis was all on the performances. Dundalk took a 2 goal lead in the 3 minutes before half time, scorers Ross Gaynor and Daniel Kearns. As in previous games, the lilywhites created plenty of chances but couldn't seem to pity them away.

In the second half, a dubious decision gave UCD the chance to pull one back through a well taken Paul Corry free kick that gave Peter Cherrie no chance. Fears of a repeat of last Friday's disappointment in Richmond Park echoed around the ground, but it was clear that this was a different performance entirely from the home side. Perhaps there was a lesson learned in Inchicore, but I'm more inclined to believe that last week was the glitch and that tonight is a sign of things to come from Ian Foster's men.

More good news surfaced doughty with the update on Stephen Maher's injury, with advice for the midfielder that he will not require surgery for his groin injury. Best wishes go to Stephen, along with Eoghan Osborne, who is recovering from a broken leg, Dean Bennett and Greg Bolger. Hopefully the injury list will shorten over the coming weeks, but in the meantime if we can build on tonight's result and recent performances then things will look brighter at Oriel Park.