Bob McKenna’s 53rd-minute strike made it three wins from three for Dundalk U19s and kept them at the top of the FAI National U19 League Northern Division as they defeated Monaghan United 1-0 at Oriel Park on Saturday afternoon. The teams found it difficult in a strong wind, but both went close to hitting the front in the first half as Roddy Collins rattled the crossbar for the visitors before Matt Foley saw his free-kick come off the post at the other end. The decisive goal came early in the second half when, after Peter Thomas was denied by ‘keeper Conor Forde, McKenna tapped in from close range, a strike which proved enough for victory.
Difficult
Dundalk drove an early free-kick over the bar before Lindo Majola almost connected with a set-piece at the other end, in an even start to the game. On seven minutes, Foley tried his luck from range but his effort was off target. In difficult conditions, as a strong wind blew across the border venue, chances were rare, with the next shot not arriving until just before the midway point of the half when Foley again hit an effort wide from distance. Then, from a Dundalk corner, Monaghan broke at pace, with Jonathan Courtney getting in behind, but Foley recovered well to clear behind as the big No9 prepared to shoot. On 25 minutes, McKenna’s shot from 25-yards went safely into the arms of Forde.
Woodwork
On 34 minutes, Monaghan almost took the lead, when Joseph Crosbie’s free-kick was met at the back post by Collins whose header came back off the crossbar, before Dundalk cleared to safety. Four minutes later, it was the turn of the hosts to rattle the woodwork as Foley’s free-kick from the left-full position looked to be swinging into the far top corner but it came back off the upright, McKenna putting his head in for the rebound but with Monaghan bodies in the way they got the ball clear. On 40 minutes, Joseph Crosbie’s free-kick went narrowly wide of goal, as the sides went in level at the break. After the restart, Monaghan were the first to threaten as Caolan Reilly fired wide from the edge of the box.
Winner
Dundalk broke the deadlock on 53 minutes when McKenna played in Thomas whose shot was fumbled by the ‘keeper, with the former Home Farm striker on hand to scramble into the net. Moments later, Monaghan should have levelled when Courtney was put in the clear, but with just Craig Hanlon to beat, he lifted ball over the ‘keeper and the bar. Before the hour, the home side could have extended their lead when Reilly found space just outside the box, and with McKenna inside, he decided to take it on himself, curling an effort past the top corner. On 76 minutes, Monaghan were denied what appeared to be a clear penalty when Reilly went down in the box, the visitors none too happy with the decision. Dundalk looked for a second shortly after but Mark Leavy shot over, while Enda Hessin had a late chance for Monaghan, but one goal was enough to maintain the Louth side’s 100 percent record.
DUNDALK FC: Craig Hanlon, Glen Trainor, Darren Meehan, John Horan, Karl Martin, Conor Macken (Conor McDonald 70), Matt Foley (Michael Griffin 57), Peter Thomas (Ben McLaughlin 77), Mark Leavy, Chris Reilly, Bob McKenna.
Goal: B McKenna (53).
Booked: J Horan (66).
Unused Subs: Gary Shevlin.
MONAGHAN UNITED FC: Conor Forde, Niall Crosbie, Fearghal McMahon, Enda Hessin, Joseph Crosbie, Shane Dunne, Roddy Collins, Conor Moynagh, Lindo Majola (Ryan Shields 83), Jonathan Courtney (John Carney 64), Caolan Reilly.
Booked: S Dunne (44), E Hessin (69).
Unused Subs: Cillian Corcoran, Robert Zagdrskis, Diarmuid Conaty.
Referee: Jim Doyle.
