A Daniel Hand double in 60 first-half seconds saw Dundalk Youths make it two wins from two as they defeated Athlone Town 2-0 at Oriel Park on Sunday morning in the DDSL U18 Super League. The young Lilywhites had goalkeeper Johnny Connolly and the woodwork to thank for keeping them on level terms before the half-hour mark. And they took full advantage of that good fortune before the break as Hand’s endeavour paid off, the young striker robbing possession from a free-kick deep in the visiting half, before he added a second from the restart, nipping in to connect with a Jude Carroll cross, two goals which saw the Louth club maintain their 100 percent start to the season.
Athlone chances
Dundalk entered the game on the back of Thursday’s exciting come-from-behind victory over Drogheda United, and though Kurt Murphy was the only surviving member of last year’s Youths team, revenge was on the mind of some after Athlone had won both the league and League Cup last season. The first chance arrived on 23 minutes when the visitors broke through the home defence in the box and looked certain to take the lead, but Connolly got down brilliantly to get a strong hand to the effort before the danger was cleared. Shortly after, Athlone were on the attack again, this time almost profiting from a mistake in the home defence, but, from a tight angle, they saw a rising shot hit the upright and go behind.
Hand brace
Then, against the run of play, Dundalk hit the front on 38 minutes. There looked to be no danger when Athlone were awarded a free-out on their 18-yard line, but a calamitous error saw Hand gifted possession, and he made no mistake as he skipped around the ‘keeper and slotted to the net. Athlone had looked the more likely to break the deadlock, but within a minute they were 2-0 down, Carroll raiding down the right wing and putting a dangerous, low cross into the six-yard box which Hand got a toe to, which was enough to find the far bottom corner. Athlone tried to respond before the break and a cross from the right was connected with in the six-yard box but a tame header was gathered by Connolly, before, on the stroke of half-time, another dangerous delivery had to be cleared before Athlone could apply a finishing touch.
Lively
Five minutes into the second half, Athlone thought they had pulled one back when a shot from the left of the area appeared to be looping over Connolly but it went narrowly wide. Dundalk could have killed the game off within seconds but the Athlone ‘keeper saved. In a lively opening to the half, Athlone had a corner cleared off the line at the back post on 56 minutes. Past the hour mark, Murphy, from the left, played the ball to Hand in the box but his effort was blocked behind by the ‘keeper. At the other end, Athlone did well inside the box but the end shot went over, before their netminder again denied Dundalk again. Then, after picking up Hand’s pass, Conor McDonald’s shot from the right of the box was fumbled by the ‘keeper, but it was enough to keep his side in the game. However, despite plenty of possession and pressure, the Midlanders couldn’t find a way back into it, as Alan Browne’s side continued their impressive start to the season.
DUNDALK FC: Johnny Connolly, Jude Carroll (Rian Hand 50), Stephen Kilcoyne, Aidan Sheehy, Jack Clancy, Ben McLaughlin (Robbie Curran 75), Conor McDonald, Seanie Crosbie, Kurt Murphy, Scott Craven (Michael Gray 70), Daniel Hand.
Goals: D Hand (38, 39).
