A magnificent 24th-minute goal from Karl Martin set Dundalk U19s on their way to an impressive 3-1 win over Derry City as the FAI National U19 League got underway at Oriel Park on Saturday afternoon. After a shaky start, the young Lilywhites settled well and took the lead after Martin’s scything run down the left saw him break into the box and finish brilliantly to the far bottom corner. Chris Reilly then hit the post with a 20-yard shot. Dundalk did make it 2-0 eight minutes into the second half when Bob McKenna stole in and slotted home, before strike partner Reilly got in on the act when smashing to the net from 18-yards. A late consolation from substitute Nathan Boyle was all Derry could muster as Martin Connolly’s side got off to a dream start in the Northern Division.
Hanlon stop
In the early exchanges – in front of the watching Ireland U19 assistant manager Tommy Connolly – Derry had the first chance when Jordan McLaughlin broke in on the right of the box but home ‘keeper Craig Hanlon came out to stop the danger, the ball rebounding off the Candystripes forward and going behind. At the other end, Mark Leavy did well in the area but his pull-back wouldn’t fall kindly for McKenna. On seven minutes came the first big chance as Derry’s Tony McNamee found space outside the box and drove forward before a low shot was brilliantly beaten behind by a strong hand from Hanlon. Ray Foy then shot wide from the right of the box. Past the quarter-hour mark, Reilly picked up possession on the right and crossed for McKenna but a Derry head got it clear inside the six-yard box.
Martin run
On 24 minutes, after a period of Derry controlling possession, Dundalk took the lead when Martin burst down the left, his pace bringing him easily past the right-back, and with players to his right, he took it on, breaking inside the area and finishing brilliantly to the far bottom corner. The youngster has been switched to full-back this year after scoring a hatful of goals from the wing for the Youths last season. Before the half-hour, Dundalk went within inches of making it 2-0 when Reilly’s shot from 20-yards came back off the post. Derry were unable to create anything clear-cut in attack, with a long-range shot that went over the bar on 33 minutes their only effort in response to going behind. Three minutes later, as Dundalk looked for a second, Reilly turned smartly on the edge of the box and shot, but visiting No1 Séamus Houghton saved, as he did from McKenna shortly after.
Three and easy
After early pressure in the second half, Dundalk doubled their advantage on 53 minutes when McKenna nipped in, in front of the Derry No1 and rounded him before finishing coolly to the net, the youngster’s joy evident by his celebration at the corner flag. Derry had three chances to reduce the deficit before the hour mark but McLaughlin shot off target, Ryan Curran’s header flashed narrowly wide of the post and McLaughlin had a header which was saved by Hanlon. However, it was Dundalk that struck again on 67 minutes. McKenna was taken out of it by Caohin Bonnar but the referee played advantage with Reilly slamming home from the edge of the box, Bonnar then booked for his earlier foul. On 72 minutes, Hanlon’s fingertips pushed away a goal-bound cross, while Ray Foy drove over from the edge of the box and substitute Luke McGeehan flashed a shot wide. Boyle found the top corner with a smart finish with 90 seconds left but Derry never threatened a second as Dundalk got off to a flying start.
DUNDALK FC: Craig Hanlon, Glen Trainor (John McKeown 59), Cian Byrne, John Horan, Karl Martin, Mark Leavy (Conor McDonald 73), Robert Sweeney, Matt Foley, Michael Osobe, Christopher Reilly (Ben McLaughlin 77), Bob McKenna.
Goals: K Martin (24), B McKenna (53), C Reilly (67).
Booked: B McKenna (34).
Unused Subs: Conor Macken, Gary Shevlin, Darren Meehan, Kurt Murphy.
DERRY CITY FC: Séamus Houghton, Michael Barr, Daryl Brown, Daniel Dillon, Caohin Bonnar, Ciarán Villa, Jordan McLaughlin (Nathan Boyle), Shaun Curran (Aaron Harkin 56), Ryan Curran (Luke McGeehan), Ray Foy, Tony McNamee.
Goal: N Boyle (89).
Booked: C Bonnar (67).
Unused Subs: Michael Barr, Gavin Duffy.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin (Monaghan).
