Niall McGinn celebrated his 26th birthday in style by bagging a double for Aberdeen as they came from behind at Tolka Park. The Dons made it three wins out of three on their Irish tour in a match they dominated against the Airtricity League's bottom side. It took a second half brace from McGinn to seal the deserved win after Jake Donnelly put the home side ahead in the first half.
Manager Derek McInnes opted to field his strongest side with new boys Barry Robson, Willo Flood and Gregg Wylde in the starting line-up. Also making his first start after recovering from injury was Calvin Zola.
And Zola was soon in action when he nodded a Robson cross over early on before he then turned a Jonny Hayes cutback just wide, while off balance. He was forced to hobble off in the first half after a challenge and, although he tried to carry on, eventually had to be replaced by Josh Magennis.
Despite looking the better side, Aberdeen needed a fine save from Jamie Langfield to block a shot from Alex Prizeman. They then fell behind when Langfield couldn't stop a Jake Donnelly free kick from the edge of the box beating him after skipper Russell Anderson had given away the foul.
Niall McGinn nearly levelled just before the break when he lashed a Magennis flick-on at keeper Niall Burdon.
HT 1-0
Nicky Weaver and Clark Robertson came on at half time in place of Langfield and Wylde before McGinn was again thwarted by the keeper a minute after the break. Next to see his shot saved was Ryan Jack as Aberdeen came out fired up.
Burdon made another fine stop from a well-struck 25 yard Hayes effort as the Dons kept knocking on the door and Magennis headed over from close range but Aberdeen somehow failed to equalise.
They finally managed it in the 68th minute when McGinn cracked in a superb volley from a Joe Shaughnessy cross. A short time later, Robson should have put Aberdeen ahead when Magennis teed him up in front of goal, but scooped it over.
Last season's Player of the Year, McGinn then fired the Dons into the lead in the 73rd minute with a fine finish to clinch victory. Derek McInnes made several changes late in the game with Declan McManus, Craig Storie and Nicky Low all coming on but the score remained the same as the Dons recorded a deserved victory to end their Irish trip with a 100% record.