Sligo Rovers 1-1 Dundalk FC MU15
EA SPORTS MU15 LOI Academy Tier Two North

Goalkeepers John Markham and Nathan Keenan played a big part in our MU15 team leaving a rain-drenched Sligo with a share of the spoils on Sunday.

Thomas McShane’s side flew out of the traps and with less than a minute played, Dundalk pressed high, won the ball back, and Alex Gaughran found the bottom corner of the net from 25 yards.

The young Lilywhites continued to pose a threat but they failed to take their chances in the second period and they were caught on the hop with an unfortunate own goal which drew Sligo level.

The hosts had a chance to take the lead towards the end of the second period but Markham made a brilliant stop to keep out a penalty.

Chances fell for both sides in the final period with Jack Martin denied a winner by the Sligo netminder before Keenan made a stunning one-handed save to secure Dundalk a well-deserved point in the final minutes.

DUNDALK FC MU15: John Markham, Lee Casey, Roan Hickey, Vincent Leonard, Jack Martin, Shay Casey, Liam McCabe, Oisin Smyth, Max Halpenny, Alex Gaughran, Sean Spaight. Subs: Nathan Keenan (GK), Karl Stenson Browne, Jay Madigan, Fahd Nil Monney, Dapo Annunlopo, Conor Patterson, Joe Smith, Tadgh Gorman.

Shamrock Rovers 3-1 Dundalk FC MU14
EA SPORTS MU14 LOI Academy Phase Two

Our MU14 team opened their Phase Two section against Shamrock Rovers in an entertaining game at Roadstone on Saturday.

Tadgh Prizeman opened the scoring for the Hoops before Shaun Platt equalised for the young Lilywhites with a looping header from a Pauric Maguire free-kick.

Rovers added two more before the end through Victor Ozhianvuna and Richie Ferizaj, the latter scoring from the penalty spot, to claim the spoils.

“We were a bit disjointed in the opening 25 minutes or so but we still defended well,” said MU14 head coach Shane Grimes.

“We got a few of our points across to the lads and we were much better structure-wise in the second 25 minutes and we equalised with a very good goal.

“When they got the second, it gave them a bit of a spring in their step and they scored again with a last-minute penalty which can happen.

“We battled well and we competed well and even though things didn’t go our way, we got back to 1-1 and unfortunately just fell short so there are lots of good things we can take from it.”

DUNDALK FC MU14: Gevorg Amirkhanyan, Michael Cummins, Pauric Maguire, Micheal McDonald, Sean Spaight, Jordan Vocella, Shaun McGeary, Shaun Platt, Hugh Martin, Trevor Molloy, Ryan Campbell. Subs: Aaron O’Donoghue (GK), Noah Boylan, Mateusz Wrobel, Finlay McCaul, Ross Browne, Adam McGrane.