Raymond McCoy scored on his debut for Dundalk as the homeside recorded their third victory in succession and have now gone unbeaten since the first game of the campaign. McCoy's goal came when he was only six minutes on the field as a substitute. He met Raymond Campbell's pass in the box with his left foot and steered it pass Ashley Stephenson.

This score was to prove a decisive one in the 72nd minute as Kilkenny were fighting hard to get back into the game.

A swirling breeze and slippery surface made ball control very difficult but Dundalk controlled the game in the first half and should have been in front before Noel Melvin got their first in the 38th minute after a corner kick taken by Campbell.

Kilkenny with the breeze advantage after the interval enjoyed a lot of possession but their finishing was poor while at the other end it took a couple of fine saves from the Kilkenny keeper, Ashley Stephenson to keep Peter Withnell from scoring.

After the McCoy goal Dundalk took over and added a third in the final minute when their best player, Brian Byrne, headed in another Campbell corner.