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Academy Round-Up | October 4th–5th
- Dundalk FC
- Oct 7
- 5 min read
It was another busy weekend for Dundalk FC’s Academy sides, with impressive wins for the WU17s, WU19s, MU17s, MU15s, and MU14s. The MU20s battled hard away from home but were edged out in a five-goal contest.
Saturday, October 4th
WU17s: Dundalk 2–1 Drogheda United
Both sides had to endure the aftermath of terrible storm conditions as Dundalk edged a pulsating derby against Drogheda on Saturday.
Drogheda won the toss and played with the breeze in the first half. Dundalk found it difficult to play out from the back against the wind and Drogheda’s high press, with the visitors creating some early chances that goalkeeper Luisa dealt with comfortably.
The Lilywhites grew into the game and, on 32 minutes, were awarded a free kick outside the box. From the resulting set piece, Dundalk were given a penalty after Sophie Levins was fouled. Levins dusted herself down and confidently struck the spot kick into the top right corner to make it 1–0.
Drogheda responded quickly and, within 10 minutes, were level. A corner from the right was not dealt with defensively by Dundalk, and the visitors capitalized to make it 1–1.
With the wind at their backs in the second half, Dundalk pushed forward and created more chances. Siún Kirby released the lively Lauren McGuire down the right wing, and her cross was met by Lanah Sherlock, whose effort went narrowly wide of the post.
Liadh Tobin, who had been ill during the week, was introduced from the bench for the final 10 minutes. Almost immediately, she latched onto a superb through ball from Kirby, but the onrushing Drogheda keeper did just enough to deny her.
Two minutes from time, Dundalk were awarded a corner on the right. Erin Costigan delivered an inviting cross that Drogheda failed to clear, and Tobin bravely headed the ball home to seal a dramatic 2–1 victory.
It was a fantastic finish to a hard-fought derby, played in good spirits despite the testing conditions. The win cements Dundalk’s second-place finish in Tier 2 and secures a home draw in the Cup format.
MU20s: Longford Town 3–2 Dundalk
Dundalk’s MU20s pushed Longford all the way in a competitive clash. The hosts struck twice early on (6’ and 30’), but A. Donnelly pulled one back before the break to make it 2–1.
R. O’Hare levelled matters in the 56th minute, but Longford hit back almost immediately, scoring the winner in the 66th minute to take all three points.
MU15s: Mayo 0–4 Dundalk
Dundalk’s MU15s produced a commanding display away to Mayo, running out 4–0 winners. The breakthrough came in the 25th minute when L. Cullen finished well after being set up by R. Dinu. After the restart, Dundalk doubled their advantage in the 54th minute as Cullen turned provider, setting up J. Weldon to score. Weldon grabbed his second of the game in the 73rd minute, this time assisted by Dinu, before Dinu capped off a superb performance with a goal of his own in the 78th minute, supplied by Weldon. It was a clinical performance from start to finish, with Dundalk in complete control throughout.
Sunday, October 5th
WU19s: Dundalk 2–1 DLR Waves (Quarter-Final)
A tight affair at Oriel Park on Sunday, with plenty of quality on show from both sides, saw Dundalk U19s run out 2–1 winners to book their place in the semi-final.
Dundalk started brightly and on the front foot, linking well in attack and creating chances. After 15 minutes, one of those moves earned the home side a corner. Megan O’Connor delivered an inch-perfect cross which Michelle Kudju converted powerfully from close range to give Dundalk the lead.
The first half remained a close contest, with both teams creating opportunities, but Dundalk held their 1–0 advantage at the break.
The second half began in similar fashion, but it was DLR who struck next, scoring against the run of play on 48 minutes with a superb finish from a tight angle. Dundalk responded immediately. Great work from Ciara Brady saw her reach a through ball before the goalkeeper, only to be fouled for a penalty. Kudju stepped up confidently once again and slotted home to restore Dundalk’s lead.
The Lilywhites went close to adding a third on several occasions, but were denied by an in-form DLR goalkeeper. Late in the game, Dundalk had to call on their own shot-stopper, with Eden Tyler making two outstanding saves to preserve the victory.
It was another strong display from the Dundalk squad, with standout individual moments from Megan O’Connor, Rebekah Clavin, and two-goal hero Michelle Kudju.
Up next is a semi-final clash with Finn Harps.
MU14s: Dundalk 4–1 Longford Town
The young Lilywhites welcomed Longford Town to Oriel Park for their return fixture this weekend. Dundalk’s preparation and attention to detail showed early on, with a clever run from Massimo Ngene setting up Ryan Musgrave to slot home inside the opening five minutes.
A spell of strong possession followed for Dundalk, but they were unable to add to their tally. Longford struck back in the final minute of the first period with a well-organised set piece, leaving the game level at 1–1 at the break.
Lifted by their equaliser, Longford enjoyed a short spell of pressure in the second period, but Dundalk regained control. A quick, cleverly taken free-kick from captain Logan Hyland put Musgrave through for his second goal of the game, restoring the home side’s advantage and steadying the ship.
Ngene remained at the heart of Dundalk’s attacking play, and his link-up work created another chance that Micheal Callan converted to make it 3–1 going into the final period. The visitors dug in and forced several near misses, but Dundalk had the final word when Charlie Franzoni fired into the bottom corner in the closing minutes.
Standout performances from Ngene and Hyland capped off a cool 4–1 win in what was an excellent team display. The squad now travel to Sligo next week in search of another victory.
MU17s: Mayo 0–7 Dundalk
It was a one-sided encounter in Mayo as Dundalk’s MU17s turned on the style to record a 7–0 win. The visitors started fast and took the lead after just five minutes when P. Ibikunle finished from J. Vocella’s assist. N. Negru doubled the advantage in the 19th minute, converting after a pass from O. Smyth, before striking again just after the interval when A. Gaughran set him up for his second. Negru completed his hat-trick in the 55th minute, again assisted by Smyth, to make it 4–0.
The goals kept coming, with A. Odusanya adding Dundalk’s fifth in the 69th minute thanks to clever play by T. Stoskus. Substitute J. Martin then got in on the act, scoring in the 78th minute before striking again just one minute later after being teed up by Negru. It was a ruthless attacking display, with Negru’s hat-trick the standout highlight in a superb team performance.
Summary
It was another hugely positive weekend across the Dundalk FC Academy. The WU19s marched into the semi-finals, the WU17s edged a dramatic derby against Drogheda, and the MU17s hit seven on the road. The MU15s and MU14s both recorded convincing wins, while the MU20s showed fight despite a narrow loss.
Momentum continues to build strongly across all age groups, with plenty to be proud of from the young Lilywhites. ⚪⚫
