Academy Round-Up | September 13th–14th

It was another busy weekend of action for Dundalk FC’s academy teams, with fixtures both home and away. From hard-fought battles in Donegal to impressive wins at Oriel Park, there was plenty of drama and quality on show.

Saturday, September 13th

The WU17s travelled to Finn Harps on Saturday afternoon, arriving in good spirits with a full squad for the 2 o’clock kick-off.

The opening five minutes were scrappy as both sides tried to settle into the game. Dundalk threatened first when Suin broke down the right and delivered a fine cross that was met by Sophie, whose effort went just over. However, Harps struck with their first attack, a goal that knocked Dundalk back. The hosts doubled their advantage in the 38th minute to make it 2–0.

Despite the setback, Dundalk rallied before the break and almost pulled one back when Georgia broke through, only for the Harps goalkeeper to narrow the angle and force her shot wide.

Dundalk made a number of changes at half-time and started the second half much brighter, looking more composed on the ball. Although mistakes crept in, the substitutions gave the side renewed energy, and as the half wore on the Lilywhites began to create chances. Sarah went close with a shot, while Danielle forced an excellent save from a free-kick.

The girls continued to battle right to the final whistle, showing determination and fight even as the score line stayed against them. They will now regroup and look to respond at home next weekend.

Team: Grace; Croía, Caoimhe, Freya, Erin; Molly, Naoise; Suin (C), Laidh, Sophie; Georgia.

Subs: Louisa (GK), Amiela, Lauren MCG, Lauryn B, Danielle, Lyn, Ruby, Sarah, Eimear, Lanah.

MU15s: Dundalk 3–1 Drogheda United

The MU15s claimed derby bragging rights at Oriel Park with a 3–1 win over Drogheda United.

Franzoni opened the scoring in the 17th minute, finishing after good work from Weldon. Drogheda equalised on 31 minutes, but Dundalk restored their lead just before half-time when Weldon converted from a Franzoni assist.

The pair combined again on the hour mark, this time Anunlopo providing the assist as Franzoni bagged his second of the game to seal an impressive 3–1 victory.

Sunday, September 14th

WU19s: Dundalk 3–2 Galway

It was another weekend of battling against tough weather conditions, but Dundalk’s WU19s showed their resilience to claim a deserved 3–2 victory over Galway.

The Lilywhites started brightly with strong performances all over the pitch, dominating possession and creating chances. However, despite their control, they somehow found themselves 2–0 down at the break against the run of play.

To their credit, Dundalk refused to let the setback phase them. As always, their commitment and determination shone through, and they came out for the second half with a point to prove.

Ciara Brady, excellent throughout the game, broke through on goal only to be fouled inside the area. Michelle Kudju stepped up and confidently dispatched the penalty to make it 2–1. From that moment on, Dundalk were in full control, with standout displays from Macey Treanor and Megan O’Connor driving the team forward.

The equaliser arrived when Alicia Maher cleverly found space in the box. Although her effort was saved by the Galway goalkeeper, Makenzie Crowley was alert to the rebound and tucked it away to level the game at 2–2.

The girls weren’t settling for a draw, and continued to push for a winner. Fittingly, it was Crowley again who found the decisive goal, producing a stunning strike from the edge of the box into the top corner to seal a superb comeback victory.

A brilliant all-round performance from the squad capped off a thrilling 3–2 win, setting them up nicely for another tough test away to Shelbourne next weekend.

MU17s: Dundalk 2–1 Sligo Rovers

Dundalk MU17s made it three wins in a row on Sunday afternoon, edging out Sligo Rovers 2–1 at Oriel Park. The victory moves the Lilywhites level on points with second-placed Finn Harps.

The visitors enjoyed more of the ball in the first half, but Dundalk capitalised on a couple of errors to create almost half a dozen chances. Despite the opportunities, the opening period finished scoreless.

Dundalk came flying out of the blocks after the restart and their pressure was rewarded in the 49th minute. A ball whipped into the box caused a scramble, with Shay Casey pouncing on the loose ball. His strike was cleared off the line, but the linesman flagged it as a goal to give Dundalk the breakthrough.

Sligo equalized around the hour mark, when a cross from the left found its way to the back post. A shot struck the upright before falling kindly for the No.12, who converted the rebound to make it 1–1.

The response was immediate. In the 65th minute, Patrick Ibikunle latched onto a ball over the top from Darragh, took a fine touch, and slotted calmly into the bottom corner to restore Dundalk’s lead.

Sligo pushed hard late on, but Aaron O’Donoghue was equal to everything that came his way. In stoppage time, the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Alex Gaughran was fouled by a defender who picked up a second yellow card. Dundalk stood firm to see out the win.

That result makes it three victories on the bounce for the MU17s, who continue their campaign away to Longford Town next weekend.

MU14s: Finn Harps 2–2 Dundalk

Despite the setback, Dundalk showed resilience and came away with a point from a tough away trip.

After the disappointment of missing out on a final the previous week, Dundalk MU14s were eager to bounce back and return to winning ways on their trip to Finn Harps.

The Lilywhites started brightly and went ahead late in the first period when Kyle Woods struck a sensational long-range free-kick from the halfway line. That goal set the tempo, and shortly after the restart Braiden Carney doubled the lead, continuing his fine form with his ninth goal in seven games.

Harps responded with sustained pressure, forcing a series of corners, but Dundalk’s defense held strong to protect their advantage heading into the final half-hour.

Disaster struck in the 70th minute when Cory Mulholland’s skewed back pass ended up in the Dundalk net. The setback shifted momentum, and Harps capitalized almost immediately, adding a second goal just a minute later to level the game.

Despite their strong start and solid resistance, Dundalk had to settle for a disappointing 2–2 draw, leaving Donegal with a share of the points.

Summary

A weekend of mixed fortunes for Dundalk’s academy sides. The MU15s impressed with a 3–1 derby win, while the MU17s extended their winning streak to three games with another strong performance. The WU19s produced a thrilling comeback against Galway, highlighted by Makenzie Crowley’s match-winning brace.

Elsewhere, the WU17s and MU14s showed great spirit on the road despite setbacks. Plenty of positives to take as all sides continue their development journey.