Despite some excellent performances, both of our women’s academy sides fell to defeat at the weekend.

EA SPORTS LOI Academy WU17 League Group A
Dundalk WU17 0-2 Bohemians

Our WU17 team make the trip to Drogheda this Saturday looking to get their campaign up and running after two defeats in their opening fixtures.

After slipping to an opening day loss away to Finn Harps, Bernard Freeman’s side were unlucky against Bohemians at Oriel Park on Saturday as two goals from Amie Harman, the first of which came just seconds after the game got underway, saw Bohemians run out 2-0 winners.

“It wasn’t the result we wanted but it was a great team performance by a very young side, especially when you consider they were up against some very experienced  Bohs players,” said Freeman.

“I’m very proud of the team and I have no doubts that the results will come with time and experience.”

Next Up: Drogheda United, DIFE, Saturday, March 17th – 2.30pm

DUNDALK WU17: Grace McCabe, Rebecca Rogan, Aoife Fanning, Wendi Benedo, Leona Hanney, Ernesta Marut, Jennifer Freeman, Naomi Dowd, Naoise Smyth, Shauna Smyth, Molly Gordon. Subs: Emma Goodman (GK), Siun Kirby, Macy Treanor, Abbie Shiels, Sarah Burke, Amelia Cassidy.

Top: Ernesta Marut in action for our WU17 team against Bohemians. Photo: Gerry Scully

EA SPORTS LOI Academy WU19 League Group A
Finn Harps 3-2 Dundalk WU19

Our WU19 team was unlucky not to leave Letterkenny with at least a share of the spoils following a five-goal thriller with Finn Harps on Sunday.

Orlaith Doherty put the hosts ahead early on but Jason McConville’s new-look side turned the game on its head thanks to goals from Chloe Ibezim and Sarah Byrne, the latter putting Dundalk in front in first-half stoppage time.

Harps made it 2-2 when Ella McHugh scored with 54 minutes on the clock and Doherty claimed her second, with what proved to be the match-winner, in the 66th minute,

“We dominated large spells of the game and we were hit by a couple of sucker punches,” said McConville.

“Harps are a physical side and it was a difficult day from that point of view but we should have taken something from it.”

The WU19s go into this Sunday’s game with Peamount United at Oriel Park looking to pick up their first points of the season after back-to-back defeats in their opening EA SPORTS LOI Academy WU19 League Group A games against Shelbourne and Harps.

“We have a new squad and there have been a lot of changes in terms of personnel so it will take us a few weeks to gel together but I feel we are going in the right direction,” said McConville.

“We have recruited well and the players that are here are buying into what we are trying to do and I think we will kick on over the next few weeks and get our season going full tilt.

“We’re disappointed not to have something on the board yet but, all in all, I am happy with how the players have acquitted themselves and their willingness to learn and I feel we’ll get stronger as we go on.”

Next Up: Peamount United, Oriel Park, Sunday, March 17th – 2pm

DUNDALK FC WU19: Toyah Hennessy, Abigail Martin, Laura Woods, Kate Drumm, Sarah Byrne, Ella McKenna, Chloe Ibezim, Ruth Leahy, Ellie Smyth, Stephanie Cunningham, Jodie McQuillan. Subs: Kelly Pease, Kerry Ann Gavin, Eden Laughton Tyler, Mischa Rooney, Moya Bishop, Emma Goodman (GK).