Four of the Dundalk FC Academy sides were in action over the past weekend, with cup campaigns beginning for two of the teams involved.
WU17: Shelbourne WU17 4-2 Dundalk FC WU17
In the first game of the U17 Women’s National League Cup Group D, Dundalk WU17s made the trip to Dublin to take on Shelbourne in a tough game on Saturday afternoon.
Unfortunately, it was Shelbourne who took all three points in the opening group game, through braces from Aleesha Palenzuela and Ruby McCarthy. Shels didn’t have it all their own way in this tie though, as goals from Grace Kelly and Sarah Byrne kept the hosts on high alert.
Despite the result, it was another promising performance for the Lilywhites, who will be hoping to get some points on the board in their next group game.
U17: Finn Harps U17 1-2 Dundalk FC U17
Callum Bonner returned after two months out to score the winner for the U17s. Credit: Ciaran Culligan
In the first league action of the weekend, Dundalk U17s made the trip to Drumoghill in Donegal to take on Finn Harps.
Having been in excellent form so far this season, the game got off to the worst possible start for the Lilywhites as they fell behind after just 30 seconds, as Aaron McLaughlin scored to give Harps an early lead.
Dundalk battled back after the concession, breaking Harps down in search of an equaliser, and they eventually found it, as Jake Hough provided the finishing touch to draw the visitors level.
Both sides continued to battle in search of a winning goal, but it would be Dundalk who took all three points, as Callum Bonner returned to action after two months out to score the winning goal and secure a massive three points heading into their last two games of the group.
U15: Athlone Town U15 0-1 Dundalk FC U15
In the only league action of Sunday afternoon, Dundalk U15s were on the road again to take on Athlone Town, looking to pick up a first league win of the season.
Simon Kelly’s side went on to produce an excellent performance, and picked up that all important first league win of the campaign, as Cian Spaight’s goal secured all three points for the Lilywhites, who will be hoping to build on this win in the coming weeks.
Sarah Byrne was on the scoresheet for the WU17s against Shelbourne
U19: Dundalk FC U19 4-1 Galway United U19
In the only home action of the weekend, Dundalk U19s kicked off their Enda McGuill Cup campaign with a brilliant 4-1 win over Galway United on Sunday afternoon.
The Lilywhites got off to the perfect start, as Dualta Honney’s strike gave Dundalk the lead just over a minute into the game.
Galway struggled to keep up with the hosts in the early stages and it wasn’t long before they found themselves two goals down.
Ryan O’Kane whipped a corner into the box and Emmanuel Adeboyega rose highest to head home and double Dundalk’s advantage 14 minutes in.
The home side had a great chance to make it three just five minutes later, as Senan Mullen’s ball in behind found Ryan O’Kane, who forced an excellent save from the goalkeeper with his strike.
From the resulting corner though, the ball was headed away, but only as far as Oisin Coleman, who volleyed home to make it 3-0 after just 20 minutes.
Galway managed to pull one back in the second half, with David Tarmey capitalising on a mix-up at the back, but it was only to be a consolation as Thomas Galvin scored Dundalk’s fourth goal of the game late on to get the hosts off to the perfect start in this season’s Enda McGuill Cup.
