Dundalk Retain Malone Cup

Dundalk FC retained the Malone Cup with a 4-2 penalty shoot out victory over Drogheda United at FAI HQ, Abbotstown on Friday afternoon.

Drogheda United took the lead midway through the first half when Brandon Kavanagh's corner resulted in a close range finish from Leo Burney. Dundalk came close to an equaliser when Mayowa Animasahun's header was cleared off the line by Bolger, while Flynn Taley produced a great save to deny Declan McDaid.

Dundalk finally equalised after 73 minutes when Danny Mullen, having previously gone close with a long range effort, scored with a fine finish from the edge of the penalty area.

Despite Dundalk finishing strongly, the match was went to penalty kicks at the end of 90 minutes. Conor Kearns saved efforts by Ryan Brennan and Andrew Quinn, with Gbemi Arubi scoring the decisive penalty following successful kicks by Daryl Horgan, Aodh Dervin and Danny Mullen.

Dundalk: Conor Kearns; JR Wilson, Bobby Burns, Mayowa Animasahun, Rob Cornwall, Aodh Dervin, Keith Buckley, Daryl Horgan, Danny Mullen, Eoin Kenny, Declan McDaid. Subs used: Harvey Warren, Harry Groome, Norman Garbett, Gbemi Arubi.

Photos: Gerry Scully