Early goals in either half saw Dundalk’s long adventure in the FAI Youth Cup come to a disappointing end last Sunday afternoon, as the Lilywhites lost 4-0 to Wexford Youths in Ferrycarrig. Incredibly, it was 18-year-old striker Danny Furlong who netted all of the hosts’ goals, as Mick Wallace’s men easily captured the cup for the first time in the club’s history, following a clinical display.
 
Dundalk, who travelled down on Saturday morning and stayed overnight for the game, started brightly in the opening exchanges. However, they were hit with a damaging blow early on as they found themselves one down, with Furlong, a tormentor of the visiting defence throughout his time on the pitch, finding his first of the day with a good finish past goalkeeper Donal Greene.
 
The Lilywhites responded well to that, however, the Wexford backline was able to deal with everything that was thrown at them, while Greene denied the home side a second at the other end with a fine save midway through the half. In the final minutes of the opening period, Dundalk foraged forward and forced two corners as they looked for a late leveller, however, Adrian Rafferty’s effort went wide of the target as Wexford held a narrow advantage at the break.
 
Following the resumption, Stephen Carragher’s men again showed well. However, it was Wexford who again threatened in front of goal, and they doubled their lead as Furlong fired in a superb effort which left Greene with no chance. Not giving up, though, Dundalk began to improve as they tried desperately to get back into the game, and they had a good opportunity on the hour, as Billy Smith forced a free on the edge of the area. Left-back Stephen Hutchinson took the resulting set-piece, however, his effort was gathered by the ‘keeper.
 
And, just moments later, the dream was over for the Oriel Park outfit, as the pacy Furlong broke through the Dundalk defence before again finishing well to the net. In an attempt to gain some solace, the visitors threw centre-half Gerard Connolly up front, however, the move failed to work. Indeed, it was Wexford who went closer to finding the net again, as Kevin Rowe almost got on the scoresheet, only to be denied by a good Greene save.
 
However, the hosts did eventually get a fourth goal late on to ice an impressive performance, as Furlong headed in from a free-kick to compound the Lilywhites’ misery as well as completing an unforgettable day for himself. Despite the loss, however, the Dundalk players and management can be delighted with their season’s efforts, which saw the team threaten a League and Cup double for long periods. With the campaign now coming to a close, the side have three league games left, and will have their eye on finishing third in the DDSL Under-18 Super League.
 
Dundalk Youths (4-4-2): Donal Greene; Barry McKenna, Gerard Connolly, Adrian Rafferty (Niall Franklin 76), Stephen Hutchinson; Gary Clarke, Shane Greene, Conor Gorman, Sean Conlon (Sean Hand 56); Billy Smith, Barry Woods (Alan Markey 65).