Goals in either half from Nathan Murphy and Bob McKenna maintained Dundalk’s 100 percent record in pre-season as they defeated IFA Championship 1 leaders Ballinamallard United 2-0 at Ferney Park on Tuesday night.
On a superb pitch at an impressive venue, the opening half was an even affair but the sides were separated at the break by Murphy’s fine free-kick from the edge of the box just past the quarter-hour.
After eight changes at half-time, Dundalk controlled possession in the second half and deservedly added a second 13 minutes from time as McKenna continued his incredible scoring form, following 36 goals in 20 games at underage level this term.
The game saw manager Seán McCaffrey give a run-out to a total of 22 players, including former Newry City and Glenavon midfielder Alan Davidson and 16-year-old Youth team winger Kevin Loughran, while Mark Griffin played the final 15 minutes.
Dundalk hit the front on 17 minutes when Murphy, after going close against Banbridge Town on Saturday, this time found the net with a free-kick for his first ever senior goal.
Davidson was then forced off after 26 minutes with a knock, with John Mountney coming on in his place and impressing.
Ballinamallard could have been level at the break as they gradually grew more into the game.
On 33 minutes, they threatened with a shot from range that goalkeeper Peter Cherrie appeared to get a touch to, although no corner was awarded.
Shortly after, Gareth Coughlan conceded possession deep in his own half and it almost proved costly as the hosts broke in on the left of the box but after pulling the ball back, they shot wide from ten-yards.
McKenna impressed in his second-half appearance and could have had a hat-trick by the end of it
With eight players introduced at the break, including McKenna and George Smith, Dundalk went in search of a second goal, and Mountney went close on 48 minutes when his 25-yard drive went narrowly wide.
Cian Byrne was the next to try his luck from range on the hour, but the home ‘keeper got behind it.
Ballinamallard went very close to levelling against the run of play on 69 minutes as a superb curling free-kick from 25-yards crashed off the crossbar and went behind.
Within seconds, Dundalk replied with two corners, the second of which was headed inches off target by centre-half Luke Danville.
Dundalk eventually made the game safe on 77 minutes when Smith supplied McKenna in the area and, despite being under pressure, he finished brilliantly from eight-yards.
After Griffin and U19 winger Mark Leavy were introduced, McKenna twice could have added to his tally in the final seven minutes.
Firstly, a dipping 30-yard shot went just over, before he latched onto another Smith through-ball but there was not enough height on his header to beat the ‘keeper.
With two wins, five goals and two clean-sheets under their belt, Dundalk now prepare for the Malone Cup against Louth rivals Drogheda United at United Park on Thursday night (kick-off 7.45pm).
First-Half Team: Peter Cherrie, Paul Walsh, Liam Burns, Derek Foran, Nathan Murphy, Gareth Coughlan, Alan Davidson (John Mountney 26), Chris Shields, Stephen McDonnell, Kevin Loughran, Michael Rafter.
Second-Half Team: Ger Hanley, Cian Byrne, Luke Danville, Hernany Macedo, Nathan Murphy (Mark Leavy 79), Chris Reilly, Stephen McDonnell (Chris Shields 66), George Smith, John Mountney, Shane O’Neill (Mark Griffin 79), Bob McKenna.
Goals: N Murphy (17), B McKenna (77).
Photographs thanks to www.sportsfile.com and David Caldwell.
