Our WU19 team suffered late, late heartbreak in their EA SPORTS LOI Academy Group A fixture against Shelbourne on Wednesday night as they were beaten by a 101st-minute strike at the AUL.

Shelbourne 2-1 Dundalk FC WU19
EA SPORTS WU19 League Group A

After an impressive 1-1 draw against Bohemians on Saturday, Jason McConville’s side returned to the capital in good spirits but it was Shels who struck first when when Katie McCarn beat Eden Laughton Tyler after 16 minutes.

The Lilywhites responded well to the setback and went on to take the game by the scruff of the neck with Ellie Smyth grabbing a well-deserved equaliser in the 27th minute before Aleesha Palanzuela missed a penalty that would have seen them go in ahead at the break.

Further chances came and went in the second half and as the game entered stoppage time, it looked like the points would be shared but with the clock showing 56 minutes, Dundalk were hit by an undeserved sucker punch when McCarn struck her second of the night secure the three points for the hosts.

“It was a cruel end but I couldn’t be prouder of the team,” said McConville afterwards. “A lot of our players from last year where playing with Shels and they are a top quality side who will be pushing at the top of the league but we matched them every step of the way and we were better than them in some departments. 

“It’s obviously very disappointing to lose in that manner but the biggest positive we can take out of it is that you can see the things we are working on starting to bear fruit.

“We are trying to do things the right way,” he added. “It’s a new team and it’s going to take time but you can see we are making real progress and I think the future is very bright for the women’s section of the club.”

Next Up: Finn Harps, Oriel Park, April 28th, 2024

DUNDALK FC WU19: Eden Laughton Tyler, Abigail Martin, Laura Woods, Sarah Byrne, Aleesha Palanzuela (Chloe Ibezim 58), Ella McKenna (Zara Farrell 85), Abbi Griffin, Ruth Leahy (Kate Drumm 70), Ellie Smyth (Mischa Rooney 58), Stephanie Cunningham, Jodie McQuillan. Subs not used: Toyah Hennessy (GK), Emma Goodman (GK), Kelly Pease, Robyn Chidgey, Moya Bishop.