A good weekend for our women’s academy teams began on Saturday afternoon when the WU17s produced a brilliant display against Longford Town to record their fourth win on the bounce.

Longford Town 0-3 Dundalk FC WU17
EA SPORTS LOI Academy WU17 Tier Two North

Up against a well-organised and physical Longford side, Molly Gordon put the visitors in front after 25 minutes.

Sarah Burke provided the assist, and the same player created Dundalk’s second, which was finished off by Shauna Smyth just 10 minutes later.

Dundalk continued to control things in the second half and Macy Treanor added a third to stretch their unbeaten run to six games.

“It was an excellent team performance that was topped off with a goal-of-the-day competition between Molly, Shauna and Ciara Brady,” said WU17 head coach Phil Cox.

“We were very pleased with the quality of our goals today, but it was the overall performance that pleased us the most.

“We are still a very young side and we were missing a few players so we are very happy with the development so far this season.”

Dundalk remain one point clear of Galway United at the top of the EA SPORTS LOI Academy WU17 Tier Two North table, albeit with two more games played.

The sides meet this Saturday, September 28th, at Oriel Park. Kickoff is at 5pm.

DUNDALK FC WU17: Grace McCabe, Jessica Cox, Aoife Fanning, Wendy Benedo, Siun Kirby, Macy Treanor, Erin Shannon, Naomi Dowd, Shauna Smyth, Molly Gordon, Sarah Burke. Subs: Ernesta Marut, Emalie McDonald, Ciara Brady, Amelia Cassidy.

DLR Waves 1-3 Dundalk FC WU19
EA SPORTS LOI Academy WU19 Tier Two North

The WU19s backed that up 24 hours later with a very impressive 3-1 victory against DLR Waves at Marley Park.

The hosts made an early breakthrough when Neema Nyangasi beat Eden Laughton Tyler with just six minutes played but Jason McConville’s side didn’t panic and, in keeping with their recent displays, produced some excellent football.

Chloe Ibezim deservedly equalised in the 51st minute and Ella McKenna, who provided the assist for the first goal, added a second 14 minutes later to put the Lilywhites 2-1 ahead.

DLR Waves couldn’t find a way past the well-drilled Dundalk backline and Ibezim made sure of the win when she completed her brace late on.

The result leaves the WU19s in second place, one point adrift of league leaders Galway United, with six games played.

Third-placed Sligo Rovers are up next at Oriel Park on Sunday, September 29th at 5pm.

DUNDALK FC WU19: Eden Laughton Tyler, Abigail Martin, Laura Woods, Kate Drumm, Zara Farrell, Sarah Byrne, Aleesha Smith-Palanzuela, Ella McKenna, Chloe Ibezim, Jodie McQuillan, Isabella Chambers. Subs: Abbi Griffin, Emma Goodman, Ruth Leahy, Ellie Smyth, Stephanie Cunningham, Moya Bishop.