Mark Leavy hit the crossbar after Bob McKenna had scored his 36th goal in a Dundalk shirt, but the young Lilywhites were forced to settle for a share of the spoils as they drew 1-1 with Derry City in the FAI National U19 League Northern Division at Oriel Park on Saturday afternoon. Derry had taken the lead on 22 minutes through Ryan Curran’s fierce shot, but McKenna had his side level by half-time with a fine header, as he notched his 24th goal of the U19 season. The hosts pressed strongly in the second half and went closest through Leavy, but Derry held firm for a hard-earned point.
Opener
After an even opening, the game sprung to life midway through the half. Dundalk should have taken the lead but they narrowly failed to connect with a Gareth Brady free-kick. Derry stunned them just seconds later as Curran’s powerful low shot from the right of the area found the far bottom corner. Brady then put in another excellent delivery which Karl Martin attacked but he headed over. In a frantic spell, Cian Byrne produced a fantastic goal-line clearance to deny Derry a second as Tony McNamee’s free-kick from the right-back area looked like going all the way in.
Leveller
On the half-hour mark, McKenna showed great pace to get past his marker and, despite being dragged back, he got his shot away only for the ‘keeper to block it. Derry should have made it 2-0 shortly after but after breaking clear on goal McNamee dragged his shot inches wide. Dundalk deservedly levelled on 39 minutes when Leavy’s wonderful cross from the left found the head of McKenna who planted his effort beyond Seamus Houghton. After the break, Dundalk started well and went close through a long-range shot from Martin which went narrowly over.
Crossbar
On 55 minutes, the Lilywhites could not have gone any closer, as Leavy got into the box and cut inside before firing a rising shot off the top of the crossbar. Seconds later, a low drive from Reilly was saved. On 67 minutes, McKenna got a sight of goal and fired an effort from the right of the area but it went wide of the far post. On 75 minutes, Derry went close again through McNamee as he broke into the box but Dundalk narrowly survived. From thereon, the home side pressed for the winner, but they were unable to find a way through, with Peter Thomas’s shot in injury-time their final effort.
Dundalk remain a point behind Derry with five games remaining, with Finn Harps now in pole position to win the division.
DUNDALK FC: Craig Hanlon, Glen Trainor, Peter Thomas, Cian Byrne, Brian Bird, Karl Martin, Conor McDonald, Gareth Brady, Mark Leavy, Bob McKenna, Chris Reilly.
Goal: B McKenna (39).
Booked: G Brady (80).
Unused Subs: Finian Farrelly, Kurt Murphy, Michael Osobe, Carlos Donovan, Darragh Keena.
DERRY CITY FC: Seamus Houghton, Luke McGeehan, Danny Dillon, Seán Curran (Gavin Duffy 82), Cormac O’Brien, Ciarán Villa, Raymond Foy, Tony McNamee, Ryan Curran, Daryl Brown, Nathan Boyle (Kevin Barr 61).
Goal: R Curran (22).
Booked: R Foy (21).
Unused Subs: Conor Harney, Coaln McLaughlin, Michael Barr.
