Five of our underage teams were in action last weekend before the EA SPORTS LOI Academy season takes a break for the Easter weekend.

WU19: Dundalk FC 0-0 Finn Harps 

Despite creating a host of opportunities, our WU19 team had to be content with a point against Finn Harps at Oriel Park on Sunday evening.

“We had a couple missing and we had to make a few changes but we were very unlucky not to win it because I felt we were the better team and we hit the post twice and we also hit the bar,” said WU19 head coach Jason McConville.

There were loads of positives. Molly Williams was outstanding and Madeleine McKinlay was very good. It’s just unfortunate we couldn’t get the goal we deserved but in the bigger scheme of things, it’s another big step in our development.”

Next up: Bray Wanderers H, April 23rd.

WU17: Dundalk FC 2-4 Bray Wanderers

Ava McGeer and Ernesta Marut were on target but it wasn’t enough for our WU17 team who slipped to a 4-2 defeat against Bray Wanderers on Saturday.

Next up: St Patrick’s Athletic, A, April 15th.

MU14: Bohemians 0-5 Dundalk FC

Sean Spaight, Finlay McCaul, Shea Savage and Pauric McGuire all found their way onto the scoresheet as our MU14 team produced a five-star display away to Bohemians on Saturday.

Unsurprisingly, MU14 head coach Shame Grimes was delighted with his side’s performance, saying: “It was as good a performance as we have produced this season. All round, from start to finish, everyone was excellent to a man.”

Next Up: Drogheda United A, April 15th.

Dundalk’s Markuss Strods in action against Bohemians in the EA SPORTS LOI Academy U17 game at Oriel Park. Photo: Gerry Scully

MU17: Dundalk FC 4-2 Bohemians

Our MU17 team opened up a five-point lead at the top of the EA SPORTS LOI Academy Group C table with a 4-2 win over Bohemians at Oriel Park.

Local lad Aaron Donnelly, who signed from Bohemians at the start of the season, put Dundalk in front before Bohs levelled but Conor Woods’s side showed great character and they went back in front just after the interval through Sean Keogh.

Bohs hit back directly after to make it 2-2 but Dundalk controlled the game after that and their patience was rewarded when Luke Povall made it 3-2 before Markuss Strods, who was part of the Latvian U17 squad for the recent European Championship Qualifiers, added a fourth.

“That game was a perfect example of how well the lads are progressing,” said head coach Conor Woods. “They started the game on the front foot and we got our rewards through an early goal from Aaron, a local lad who signed from Bohemians at the start of the season.”

“That game showed how far the lads have come in their development,” said Woods. “I felt like we mixed our game up well, we retained the ball well throughout and we created some very good scoring opportunities.

“At the other end, we defended well and showed great character to take the lead not once, but twice, and I’m proud of how the lads are performing and developing.”

Next Up: St Patrick’s Athletic A, April 15th.

MU19: Dundalk FC 0-2 Bohemians

After winning their first three games, our MU19 team slumped to their second defeat in as many weeks with a 2-0 loss against Bohemians at Oriel Park on Sunday.

Robbie McCourt continued to build up his fitness by playing the full 90 minutes but his presence was not enough to stop the Gypsies from taking the three points.

Next Up: Sligo Rovers, A, April 16th

xx in action against Bohemians in the EA SPORTS LOI Academy MU17 game at Oriel Park. Photo: Gerry Scully