DFC Academy: U17s Continue Good Start

Feranmi Makinwa in action (Pic Claire Makinwa).

Dundalk MU17s continued their perfect start to the season in spectacular fashion, following up their opening-day Louth Derby victory with a commanding 7–0 win over Finn Harps at Oriel Park.

From the first whistle, Dundalk set the tone with an explosive opening that effectively decided the contest inside the opening minutes. The hosts struck twice in quick succession, with Leon Laban opening the scoring in the 4th minute before Feranmi Makinwa doubled the advantage just two minutes later in the 6th. Both goals were created by the same provider, Karl Stenson-Browne, whose early deliveries caused immediate problems for the Harps back line.

Dundalk kept the pressure relentless and the third arrived on 24 minutes, when Taiye Odusanya finished well after being set up by Nick Negru. The fourth followed soon after in the 29th minute, as Tunde Anunlopo found the net, this time assisted by Odusanya, capping a dominant spell where Dundalk repeatedly forced Finn Harps deep into their own half.

The scoring wasn’t finished before the break. On 42 minutes, Makinwa struck again—his second of the match—after another incisive contribution from Odusanya, sending Dundalk into half-time with a deserved 5–0 lead and complete control of the tempo both in and out of possession.

The second half followed the same pattern, with Dundalk continuing to dictate play through sustained intensity and disciplined structure. The sixth goal arrived on 68 minutes, when Makinwa completed his hat-trick, finishing off an attack created by Jude Duggan to underline the forward’s clinical edge in front of goal.

Dundalk’s seventh came on 77 minutes and showcased both composure and unselfish play. Sam Bukovec rounded the goalkeeper from a tight angle and, rather than forcing the finish, played the ball across goal for Anunlopo to apply the final touch and secure his second of the afternoon to make it 7–0.

To their credit, Finn Harps continued to look for a response and were unlucky not to grab a late consolation. In the closing stages, a 25-yard strike crashed off the post, but Dundalk held firm to see out the match and preserve an impressive clean sheet.

Manager Comments

"After the match, MU 17 manager Stephen Hutchinson praised the players’ application and the work done behind the scenes in recent weeks: "The staff and myself were pleased with the work the lads have put in over the pre season and the past number of weeks, the hard work has shown in the past two performances.

We were extremely pleased with the levels of sustained intensity in and out of possession throughout the game.

We had a solid first half with five well taken goals. The challenge in the second half was to keep our discipline and stick to what is working for us and keep a clean sheet, which the lads delivered on.

Overall we're delighted for the lads to get rewarded for their hard work and efforts."

Many thanks to Claire Makinwa for the photographs.