Dundalk U19s lost their 100 percent record in the new FAI National U19 League Northern Division when they suffered an emphatic and deserved 3-0 defeat by Finn Harps at Finn Park on Saturday afterrnoon. The young Lilywhites had been sitting proudly at the top of the division prior to their fourth outing of the campaign, but they were given a harsh lesson by a younger and more energetic home side.
Early strikes
The writing was on the wall for the visitors as early as the seventh minute when a mistimed tackle by Darren Meehan on the edge of the box resulted in Harps hitting the front through a fine free-kick from Gary Merritt. Shane McGinty and Merritt both went close to adding a second, but by the quarter-hour mark the Donegal side had made it 2-0. Dundalk’s defence was found wanting as Ryan Lonergan released Jordan Duffy with an inch-perfect through-ball and he fired to the bottom corner. At the other end, Conor Macken was denied by a good save from Shaun Patton as Dundalk looked for a way back into the game.
Three and easy
However, before the half-hour mark, the match was over as a contest when a simple cross from the right was lost by ‘keeper Craig Hanlon due to him slipping on the sticky surface and Harps made it 3-0 through Dean McConnell. Dundalk did continue to try to play their way back into the game but were thwarted on a number of occasions by a combination of good goalkeeping, especially from efforts by Robert Sweeney and Bob McKenna, and stubborn defending. This was a reality check for the local youngsters and they will be glad of the break this weekend in order to put things together on the training ground for when they return to action on Saturday week (1 October) at home to Fanad United.
FINN HARPS FC: Shaun Patton, Martin Redmond, Stephen Rodden, Hugh McFadden, William Lynch, Ryan Lonergan, Ryan Shields, Dean McConnell (John McGarvey 71), Shane McGinty (Ryan Curran 67), Jordan Duffy, Gary Merritt (Cathal McDaid 63).
Goals: G Merritt (7), J Duffy (14), D McConnell (28).
DUNDALK FC: Craig Hanlon, Glen Trainor, Darren Meehan (Gary Shevlin 71), John Horan, Karl Martin, Conor Macken (Ben McLaughlin 54), Michael Griffin (Conor McDonald 29), Robert Sweeney, Mark Leavy, Chris Reilly, Bob McKenna.
