Bob McKenna was on hand to net his 23rd goal of the season and seal victory for Dundalk Youths as they ensured they ended the year at the top of the DDSL U18 Super League with a 3-1 win over Leicester Celtic at Oriel Park on Sunday morning. The young Lilywhites, who went into the game with a 100 percent home record, were in front ten minutes before the break thanks to Seanie Crosbie’s strike from range, but struggling Leicester grabbed a shock equaliser close to half-time. However, Daniel Hand restored the lead before the hour mark, and McKenna popped up shortly after to make sure of the points.
Level
With regular No1 Johnny Connolly ruled out through illness, defender Jude Carroll took over in goal, as Alan Browne’s side looked to make it six wins on the bounce. The opening goal came on 35 minutes. Crosbie picked up possession outside the box and his powerful shot nestled in the bottom-right corner, as he found his second goal of the season and his first in the league. That goal, Dundalk’s 37th of the campaign in 11 outings in all competitions, appeared to set them on their way to victory. However, on 43 minutes, Leicester were level, when they reacted quickest to a scramble in the box to fire in from eight-yards.
Sealing victory
With Leicester having recorded just one win from their opening eight league games, leaders Dundalk were expected to claim maximum points, and they were back in front thirteen minutes into the second half. Conor McDonald did well, making a run through the middle and slipping a pass through to Hand who remained cool to find the net. And on 65 minutes, the scoring was completed, with McKenna finding his tenth goal in four appearances for the Youths. A long ball from Carroll was picked up by McKenna who put Stephen Kilcoyne through, and after his shot was saved by the ‘keeper, the in-form 17-year-old was on hand to make it 23 goals in 14 games between U18 and U19 grade.
DUNDALK FC: Jude Carroll, Ben McLaughlin, Brian Bird, Aidan Sheehy, Jack Clancy, Michael Gray, Stephen Kilcoyne, Conor McDonald (Rian Hand 80), Seanie Crosbie (Kurt Murphy 55), Daniel Hand (John McKeown 65), Bob McKenna.
Goals: S Crosbie (35), D Hand (58), B McKenna (65).
