Shelbourne 2-2 Dundalk FC U14
EA Sports U14 National Underage League Shield Group A
Danny Putnam’s late equaliser secured Dundalk U14s a share of the spoils in their EA Sports National League Shield opener against Shelbourne in Dublin on Saturday.
The hosts got off to a better start, controlling the opening 20 minutes before the Lilywhites began to play their way into the game. There was some good football on display for large periods of the first half, as both sides attempted to open each other up and create chances.
It was the hosts who broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark, as a defensive error allowed Shels to break through and score but their lead didn’t last for long as Conall Alfred levelled things up for the Lilywhites after a brilliant run from the halfway line before producing a quality finish.
Both sides battled for control of the game as the second half began, with Dundalk managing to gain the upper hand in the early minutes but Shelbourne eventually managed to regain control and they managed to retake the lead on the hour mark after a quality attack.
The Lilywhites didn’t let their heads drop after the goal, and they pushed forward in search of a late equaliser. They were finally rewarded for their efforts with 10 minutes remaining when Graham Donner’s free-kick fell to Danny Putnam, who struck a brilliant volley into the net to secure a point for Simon Kelly’s side.
A draw was a fair result on reflection for two sides who produced quality performances on the day. The Lilywhites will be hoping to take their promising performance into the upcoming league games.
DUNDALK FC U14: Graham Donner, Conall Duffy, Cian Murphy, Luke Mulligan, Caimin Hughes, Lashawn Lombard, Eanna Curran, Fionn McNamara, Niko Lovrenkovic, Conall Alfred, Runako Sweetman. Subs: Calum O’Reilly, Cian Spaight, Rhys O’Hare, Danny Putnam, Niall O’Connor, Boris Biekhou.
