Bob McKenna’s 14-minute hat-trick brought the striker’s tally for the season to 26 goals as he netted his fifth treble of the campaign, to give Dundalk a winning return with a 4-2 defeat of Fanad United in the FAI National U19 League Northern Division in Donegal on Saturday afternoon. The young Lilywhites returned from a six-week break and once they settled into their stride they broke the deadlock on 27 minutes and led 4-0 by half-time. And, despite the hosts pulling two goals back in the second half, Dundalk held out comfortably to secure a valuable win.
Murphy header
Martin Connolly’s side made the four-trip north having enjoyed an extended layoff over Christmas, having had no game in the final series of matches on 10 December. The visitors made a nervy start on a difficult pitch, before eventually settling down past the midway point of the opening period. Dundalk hit the front when Murphy played a superb cross-field pass to Mark Leavy who beat his full-back before supplying a pinpoint cross to the back post where the in-rushing Murphy powered a header to the bottom corner.
Kurt Murphy, pictured above, was on the mark in Donegal
Spot-kick
The Lilywhites should have had the opportunity to double their advantage within two minutes when Murphy was upended by the goalkeeper when left one-on-one. However, the appeals were waved away. But, just moments later, Dundalk were awarded a spot-kick when McKenna was tripped when running away from goal. The 17-year-old dusted himself down and tucked the resulting penalty away with his usual coolness. McKenna, who recently recovered from an injury picked up in the final game of 2011, has been in tremendous form for both the U19s and Youths this term, this goal his 14th of the U19 season.
Game over
Dundalk stretched their lead on 41 minutes. Peter Thomas made a surging run from midfield to get on the end of a pass from the returning Glen Trainor. Thomas got to the by-line and pulled the ball back for McKenna to double his tally. The game was put to bed on the stroke of half-time when a wonderful passing move involving six players again seen Leavy produce a brilliant cross into the box. Once more, Murphy got on the end of it, this time heading down for McKenna to complete his hat-trick. Fanad began the second half brightly and pulled a goal back on 52 minutes with a shot from distance.
Chris Reilly (left) and Bob McKenna (right) again caused havoc for the opponents’ defence
Tight
Chris Reilly was then denied twice while the home ‘keeper also stopped McKenna from getting his third four-goal haul of the season. In the end, it was the home side who finished the scoring when they converted a penalty of their own after ‘keeper Craig Hanlon had committed a foul. With Monaghan United holding leaders Derry City to a scoreless draw at Oakgrove on Sunday afternoon, Dundalk are still well in contention to top their section. Connolly’s side currently lie third on 22 points, four points behind Derry and three points behind Finn Harps, with a full series of games still to come.
DUNDALK FC: Craig Hanlon, Glen Trainor, Ben McLaughlin, Cian Byrne ©, Karl Martin, Peter Thomas (Darragh Keena 53), Conor McDonald, Kurt Murphy (Michael Osobe 80), Chris Reilly, Mark Leavy, Bob McKenna.
Goals: K Murphy (27), B McKenna (31 pen, 41, 45).
Photographs thanks to David Caldwell.
