Bob McKenna’s incredible scoring form continued as his five-goal haul helped Dundalk U19s to ease into the quarter-finals of the Enda McGuill Memorial Cup as they defeated Longford Town 7-1 at Flancare Park on Sunday afternoon, Chris Reilly and Carlos Donovan also getting on the scoresheet. Despite Longford cancelling out his early opener, McKenna (pictured scoring against Bohemians U18s) had his hat-trick by the half-hour mark, with Reilly adding another to give the young Lilywhites a three-goal lead by the break. And after Donovan grabbed his second goal in as many games just past the midway point of the second half, McKenna scored twice more to bring his tally to 35 goals in 18 games.
Trading blows
Dundalk went into the game still well in contention to win the FAI National U19 League Northern Division following last weekend’s 5-1 win over Longford at Oriel Park. However, Martin Connolly’s side were well aware of the Midlanders’ shock win over Finn Harps in the last round. The game saw a debut for recent signing Gareth Brady, brother of Republic of Ireland U21 star Robbie. And Dundalk kicked into life on the quarter-hour mark. Donovan cut in from the left wing and played a one-two with McKenna on the edge of the box, with the former Saint Patrick’s Athletic player pulling a great ball back for the in-rushing McKenna to slot in. That lead lasted just seven minutes as Longford capitalised on a poor pass from Peter Thomas to restore parity.
Mark Leavy was outstanding throughout the game in Longford
Hat-trick
Dundalk were soon back in front, though, when a superbly-flighted cross from Brian Bird was met by McKenna who placed it accurately in the corner. The Lilywhites stretched their lead on 28 minutes when Brady delivered a pinpoint free-kick into the six-yard box where Reilly raced in unnoticed to finish to the net. The game was over as a contest two minutes later when Mark Leavy, who was outstanding throughout, delivered another perfect cross for the onrushing McKenna who completed his hat-trick. For the 17-year-old, it was a sixth treble of the campaign between U18 and U19 level, and further left everyone at Oriel Park wondering how the youngster missed out on the U18 home-based squad for their upcoming game against Wales.
Seventh heaven
The Lilywhites could have added to their lead before half-time but first McKenna and then Donovan were denied by great saves from the home ‘keeper. The visitors were always going to find it difficult to maintain their level of performance after the break. But they did find further goals on 68 and 70 minutes as Donovan added to his debut goal against Longford last week while McKenna grabbed another. The scoring was completed on 76 minutes when Brady, from the edge of the box, played an inch-perfect pass into the path of McKenna who rounded the ‘keeper and, from the tightest of angles, hammered home his fifth. With a place in the last eight secure, Dundalk now refocus their attentions on the league, with a massive game against Derry City at Oriel Park on Saturday (kick-off 2pm).
DUNDALK FC: Craig Hanlon (Finian Farrelly 70), Glen Trainor, Cian Byrne ©, Ben McLaughlin, Brian Bird, Mark Leavy, Peter Thomas (Karl Martin 55), Gareth Brady, Carlos Donovan, Bob McKenna, Chris Reilly.
Goals: B McKenna (15, 24, 30, 70, 76), C Reilly (28), C Donovan (68).
Unused Subs: Conor McDonald, Darragh Keena.
Photographs thanks to David Caldwell.
