Glen Trainor was the hero as he hit a first-half hat-trick to help Dundalk Youths open up a three-point lead at the top of the DDSL U18 Super League after defeating Ballyfermot United 5-1 at Oriel Park on Friday night. The 16-year-old winger opened the scoring after just 70 seconds and, despite some pressure from the visitors after that early strike, he added another two before the break, either side of a Johnny Breen strike, as the young Lilywhites put the game to bed by half time. Ballyfermot and Breen then traded goals in the second half as Ciarán Bond’s side sauntered to victory.

Early opener
The Youths entered the game after suffering successive defeats and desperately needed victory to get their title chase back on track. And Trainor gave them the perfect start as they hit the front with their first attack of the evening. John Smyth broke from midfield and after being pushed wide delivered a delightful cross for Trainor who headed home bravely, winning the ball ahead of the visiting ‘keeper. Ballyfermot came into the game after that and won a lot of free-kicks close to the Dundalk box but never seriously threatened Nathan Cooney in the home goal, their best chance coming on nine minutes when the former Rock Celtic netminder was forced into a fine save.

Dundalk dominant
However, despite drifting out of the game a little, Dundalk hit a crucial second on 27 minutes and again it was Trainor on the mark. This time, midfielder Philip Duffy – who made his first-team debut at the end of last season – floated a beautiful free-kick from close to midway into the box where the former Shelbourne star was on hand to head beyond the Ballyfermot ‘keeper from 10-yards. From there, the hosts took over and went in search of a third, almost getting it just past the half-hour mark when Breen’s drive from just outside the box was well pushed around the post. The ‘keeper could do nothing about Breen’s effort four minutes later, though, as the 18-year-old latched on to a superb through-ball from Derek Mernagh before finishing coolly.

Trainor clinical
If the game was not already dead by then, Trainor made sure of the kill a minute before the break when he sealed his hat-trick. Another flowing move made its way to Nathan Murphy on the left-wing and his cross was brilliantly controlled first-time by Trainor who then smashed the ball to the net from just outside the six-yard box. Moments after the break, Ballyfermot threatened a response and Cooney produced a wonderful save to keep his clean-sheet intact. On 58 minutes, Cooney pulled off another incredible one-handed stop but his efforts were in vain as Ballyfermot eventually netted at the third attempt.

Breen brace
Despite that strike, there was never a real threat of a second from the Dubliners, and, after a quiet spell, Dundalk put further gloss on the scoreline five minutes from time when Breen broke through the visitors’ defence and cheekily chipped the outrushing ‘keeper for the goal of the evening. The win moves Dundalk three points clear of Saint Kevin’s Boys at the top of the league, although last year’s champions Crumlin United are still in touch, five points back in third but with two games in hand. The young Lilywhites’ wide-margin win on Friday does, however, give them a clear lead in goal difference as they are six goals better off than their nearest rivals.

DUNDALK YOUTHS: Nathan Cooney, Brian Begley, Keith Finnegan, Cathal Bellew, Nathan Murphy, Glen Trainor, Philip Duffy (Michael McDonnell 59), John Smyth, Derek Mernagh (Dean Hoey 82), Johnny Breen, Anthony Hewitt (Daniel Kerr 62).
Goals: G Trainor (1, 27, 44), J Breen (36, 85).
Booked: P Duffy (37).
Unused Subs: Keith Harmon (GK), Mark Griffin.