Cork City goalkeeper Dan Connor was at fault for both Dundalk goals as the The Lilywhites won 2-1 at Turner’s Cross live on Setanta Ireland on Friday evening.
Dundalk moved up to fifth in the Premier Division table thanks to a Chris Turner penalty and fine effort from Michael Daly.
Dundalk started well, but failed to create a decent goal-scoring opportunity early on, while wasting a couple of set-pieces in good positions.
However, City had come back into it by the time the visitors won a penalty after 34 minutes, when Dan Connor raced out of his goal and clattered into Declan O'Brien, who had not been in a particularly threatening position.
Turner stepped up to stroke home the spot kick, sending Connor the wrong way.
City responded well but were reduced in number on 39 minutes. Shane Duggan, having earlier been booked for rash challenge, received his second yellow card after angrily throwing a ball at an opponent.
Connor, clearly at fault for Dundalk’s first, was also largely responsible for the second goal of the night. The keeper charged out to challenge Daly, who had found plenty of space in behind and down the right, but the attacker got there first, launching a delighted finish into the net as Dundalk went in at the break in total control.
City threatened on several occasions early on in the second period, before, just prior to the hour, Guntars Silagailis went agonisingly close with a hooked attempt across goal following a Denis Behan flick-on.
With 20 minutes remaining, Stephen O'Donnell missed a glorious chance to give his side hope, blazing over from 12 yards.
However, with eight minutes of normal time to go, Behan struck a beauty from 20 yards following an excellent Cork move to set up an exciting conclusion.
Cork pushed desperately for a leveller, handing Dundalk a couple of chances to add a third at the other end, but the visiting men defended manfully to ensure a pleasant journey back to Louth.
Cork City: Connor, Sullivan, O'Halloran [Behan 45m], Murray, Murphy, O'Connor [Kuduozvic 52m], Healy, Duggan, Lordan [O'Donnell 55m], Kiely, Siligailis.
Subs Not Used: McNulty, Horgan
Dundalk: Bennion, Coburn, Heary, Burns [McGinlay 81m], Simon Kelly, O'Brien, Turner [Synott 62m], Daly, Mulvenna, Rowe, Mansaram.
Subs Not Used: Coulter, Smith