Cork City 0-1 Dundalk FC

Match Report

Cameron Elliott’s early strike was enough to give Dundalk victory in a pre-season friendly against Cork City in Abbotstown.

The Scottish striker, who arrived from East Kilbride, showed his predatory instincts with just 32 seconds on the clock when he controlled a Ryan O’Kane cross with his right foot before steering the ball past Jimmy Corcoran with his left.

Just 24 hours after he signed for the club, Archie Davies was handed his debut by Stephen O’Donnell; the former Aldershot Town man deployed as a right wing-back with Hayden Muller, Andy Boyle and Louie Annesley forming a back three.

Dundalk opened with a bang and Greg Sloggett did well to turn possession over and pick out Patrick Hoban, who duly set Ryan O’Kane away on the left. The winger picked out Elliott who set himself with a super touch before tucking the ball away in style.

Sloggett, who missed the. scoreless draw with Finn Harps a week earlier, was heavily involved again five minutes later when he exchanged passes with Connor Malley on the edge of the box but he curled his effort just wide of the upright with the outside of his left boot.

The Leesiders, who are back in the top-flight after two seasons in Division One, included a numbers of of trialists and they after almost drew level after 25 minutes when Ruairi Keating angled a drive towards goal from the inside right. Nathan Shepperd made a great save to keep the ball out with the incoming Joe O’Brien Whitmarsh crashing the follow up against the post.

Shepperd clawed a Darragh Crowley shot away to safety at the beginning of the second half and both sides made a number of changes as things wore on.

John Martin, another who missed the game with Harps, was among the Dundalk players introduced, and the striker headed at Corcoran on the back of a good move involving Paul Doyle and Anthony Mayo.

DUNDALK FC: Nathan Shepperd, Hayden Muller (Oisin Coleman 88), Andy Boyle, Louie Annesley,  Archie Davies (Senan Mullen 70), Alfie Lewis (Paul Doyle HT), Greg Sloggett (Keith Ward 59), Connor Malley (Jake Hough 70), Ryan O’Kane (Callum Bonner 78), Cameron Elliott (Anthony Mayo 70), Patrick Hoban (John Martin 64). Subs not used: Eoin Kenny, Peter Cherrie (GK), Mark Byrne (GK).