Dundalk U-14 girls braved the wet and windy conditions of Sunday morning to take on Slane Wanderers in the semi-final of the League Cup.  The Oriel Park outfit approached the game with a three-four-two formation while their opponents opted for a five-four-one formation which from the outset, was going to be difficult to break through. 
The Louth girls started well with good passing play and on the 21 minute mark Chloe McLoughlin’s 25 yard shot made it 1-0 to Dundalk.  They continued to press hard for a second goal which came in the 30th minute courtesy of Shauna Finn.  Sarah Washington hit the roof of the net to make it 3-0 to Dundalk before halftime.  Just after the second half commenced, manager Andy Lennon made four changes that proved a good move for Dundalk as 15 minutes before fulltime, the girls had made sure of victory with goals from Kate McKeever, Shauna Finn and Erin McLoughlin providing a thoroughly convincing 6 goal victory and a place in the League Cup final. 
The manager was delighted with his team’s performance, “The girls played excellent football throughout the game and their passing was brilliant.  I was also very happy with the work rate which was consistent throughout”.  Andy remarked that this has been a great season for the U-14 girls as a team and as part of Dundalk FC.  “We recently were beaten by Shelbourne in the semi-final of the FAI Junior Cup.  But for the girls to get up and dust themselves down, pick themselves up and go out and play the way they did in this match is terrific.  It has been a really good day for all of us and the coaching staff are incredibly proud of our squad”. 

The team are now looking forward to a Cup Final fixture on 18th May. 

Positive season in store for all Dundalk FC Ladies teams

Dundalk FC were very pleased with the extremely popular and positive take-up of registration for Senior Ladies and Junior Girls for the new season which took place in Oriel Park in Mid-March.  There was an excellent response with so many ladies signing up that Head Coach Brian Donnelly believes the Club may field a second senior ladies team this year.  Demand to sign up with the junior squads has also been high and for the first time there will be both U-13 and U-14 girls’ teams at Oriel Park for the upcoming season.  Meanwhile, it is also a very exciting time for girls up to the age of 12 who wish to become involved with Dundalk FC.  Plans for a soccer academy for girls below and up to the age of 12 are currently being finalised.  This academy is set to run on Friday nights at Oriel Park.  

Dundalk FC Senior Ladies team play a pre-season match at Oriel Park on Sunday next, 6th April when they take on the challenge of a game against Northern Ireland champions Glentoran.  Kick-off is at 1:00pm.