Bob McKenna brought his tally for the season to eight as his hat-trick helped top-of-the-table Dundalk to a comfortable 4-0 win over bottom side Longford Town in the FAI National U19 League Northern Division at Flancare Park on Saturday afternoon. Martin Connolly’s side went into the game with four wins from their five outings, McKenna scoring in all of their wins, and he continued to enhance his reputation after just 12 minutes for the free-scoring Lilywhites. He completed his treble either side of the break, and Mark Leavy added another in the final quarter-hour to bring the Louth club’s tally to 19 goals after their first series of games.
Bright start
Connolly included five Youth team players in his starting lineup, while he handed a debut to new signing Darragh Kenna, who produced an impressive display throughout, after putting pen to paper during the week following his return from the United States. Dundalk started brightly against a young and inexperienced home side, and broke the deadlock before the quarter-hour mark. Kenna played a pinpoint pass into the box where Skerries native McKenna turned a defender before hammering a left-footed shot to the net. Despite atrocious conditions, the visitors played some fine football, with Leavy, McKenna, Cian Doyle and Conor McDonald being a real threat at every opportunity, but they were denied further goals by a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping.
Hat-trick
Dundalk eventually doubled their advantage ten minutes before half-time. This time it was McDonald who provided the assist for McKenna who controlled in the box and this time finished clinically with his right foot. In worsening weather, the Louth side started the second half at a hectic pace and were rewarded when they found the goal of the game to secure the points. After an exchange of passes between Kenna, Doyle and Brian Bird, Leavy was released down the left and he supplied an inch-perfect cross for McKenna who headed to the corner of the net. Dundalk had further chances through Kenna, John Horan and substitute Kurt Murphy, but it was Leavy who completed the rout on 76 minutes when he broke into the area and fired in, as the young Lilywhites maintained top spot with an impressive display.
Dundalk’s next outing is away to Derry City on Saturday week, 5 November.
DUNDALK FC: Craig Hanlon, Karl Martin, Brian Bird, Ben McLoughlin, John Horan, Conor McDonald (Rob Sweeney 60), Darragh Kenna, Cian Doyle (Gary Shevlin 65), Mark Leavy, Bob McKenna, Daniel Hand (Kurt Murphy 55).
Goals: B McKenna (12, 35, 48), M Leavy (76).
Unused Sub: Conor Macken.
