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Academy Round-Up | August 9th–10th
- Sean McGuinness
- Aug 12
- 4 min read
It was another busy weekend of action for Dundalk FC’s academy sides, with five fixtures taking place across league competition. From high-scoring victories to hard-fought battles, the Lilywhites showed plenty of quality and character across the board.
Saturday, August 9th
MU20s: Drogheda United 3–0 Dundalk
The MU20s fell to a 3–0 defeat away to Drogheda United in a game where the score line didn’t fully reflect the quality of Dundalk’s play.
The Lilywhites started brightly, moving the ball well and controlling possession for large spells. However, they found it difficult to break down Drogheda’s compact back five, with the hosts content to sit deep and counter.
Drogheda struck first in the 23rd minute before the break and added two more late in the second half. While some of the goals conceded came from situations the team felt they could have dealt with better, there were positives to take, particularly in Dundalk’s build-up play and approach work in the final third.
MU20s coach reflected after the game:
“I actually felt the performance was quite good for large parts. We moved the ball really well but just needed that bit more quality and clinical execution on the final pass. Drogheda were organized and hard to break down. We’ve been on a good run recently, so now it’s about building again, taking the good stuff forward, and making improvements ahead of Bray in a few weeks.”
The squad now has a free weekend before returning to action with a series of friendlies to keep sharp.
WU17s: Dundalk 1–2 Finn Harps
In a game where Dundalk didn’t quite hit the ground running, Finn Harps’ high work rate and compact shape made life difficult from the outset. The visitors scored early in the first half and doubled their lead after the break.
The Lilywhites pulled one back through Sara Burke, following excellent work down the wing by Sophie Levins and a clever pass from Erin Costigan in the box. Despite a strong push late on, they couldn’t find the equalizer.
Special mention goes to Molly Gordon, who has been made captain.
Sunday, August 10th
WU19s: Dundalk 2–3 Bohemians
A closely fought contest saw Bohemians hold on to take a 3–2 win in a game where Dundalk pushed them all the way.
There was nothing between the sides in the first half, but Bohs took the lead early in the second with some fortune, an own goal coming off a deflection from a dangerous cross. They doubled their advantage soon after to make it 2–0.
Dundalk hit back quickly through a moment of magic from Ernesta Marut, who picked up the ball centrally, 25 yards out, and fired an unstoppable strike into the top corner.
Bohs restored their two-goal cushion at 3–1, but Marut was rewarded for her tireless work when she dispossessed the goalkeeper to slot home and set up a nervy finish. In the dying moments, Sarah Byrne found herself free in the box, only to see her effort saved after close contact that Dundalk felt warranted a penalty.
It was an excellent showing against a well-drilled Bohs team containing four former Irish internationals, with the two sides evenly matched for large portions of the game. Shauna Kate Smyth and Megan O’Connor both impressed, while Marut stood out as the outstanding performer for her two goals and all-round contribution.
Up next is Longford Town away.
MU17s: Finn Harps 1–1 Dundalk
After making the long trip up North to a tough Finn Harps, the MU17's were unfortunate to come away with only a draw and showed great resilience.
Harps took a 1-0 lead early in the second half before Feranmi arrived at the back post in the 89th minute to level the game 1-1.
A red card to Shay Casey early in stoppage time did not deter the MU17s as they continued to pile the pressure deep into stoppage time on Harps even with only 10 men.
MU14s: Longford Town 0–7 Dundalk
Dundalk’s MU14s continued their impressive run of form with a clinical 7–0 victory away to Longford Town, in a game that started as a slow burner but finished with a flurry of goals.
The Lilywhites made the perfect start when Emilijus delivered a pinpoint corner and Rhys Grimes powered a header into the net on 10 minutes, a reward for his recent hard work following the National Player of the Year celebrations. Just three minutes later, Massimo Ngene doubled the lead with a composed finish after more sustained pressure.
Longford responded strongly, enjoying half an hour of dominance and forcing Dundalk to defend deep. The hosts were given a lifeline when they won a penalty, but new goalkeeper Joseph Byrne produced a brilliant low save, a key moment that reignited Dundalk’s momentum and swung the game back in their favor.
After the break, Luciano Ngene, the second Ngene brother on the scoresheet, made it 3–0 before the substitutes made an instant impact. Ryan Musgrave added a fourth, and in-form striker Braden McCarney continued his hot streak with two well-taken goals in quick succession.
Aaron O’Brien, playing in a new advanced No.10 role, capped the scoring late on. He impressed throughout by breaking up play high up the pitch, linking attacks, and driving the team forward, his goal was a deserved reward for an excellent all-round display.
The final stages saw Dundalk “turn the screw” with goals coming from all areas, wide and central, as they showed both ruthlessness in attack and solidity in defense.
The coach was full of praise for his side’s attacking variety:
“Once we got into the final third, goals came from everywhere, wide areas, central areas. The boys really turned the screw and put the foot down on the gas. It was a high-scoring day, and while it started slow, we dominated in the end.”
Summary
With a big win for the MU14s, a battling point for the MU17s, and narrow defeats in competitive games for the WU17s and WU19s, the weekend showcased the depth and determination across Dundalk FC’s academy.
From Ernesta Marut’s brace to Joseph Byrne’s penalty save and the Ngene brothers’ goals, there were standout moments in every fixture. The focus now turns to building on these performances and carrying the momentum into the next round of matches.
