Dundalk WU17 4-1 Longford Town

Dundalk WU17s enjoyed a 4-1 win over a gallant Longford Town side at Oriel Park on Saturday afternoon. Both teams produced a high-tempo display from start to finish, entertaining the good attendance who turned out to support both sides.

Longford started well and put Dundalk under early pressure, with Zara Farnan and Danielle Cromwell making several important clearances from dangerous attacks.

Having soaked up that early pressure, Dundalk took the lead after 17 minutes with an outstanding goal. Sophie Levins won possession 25 yards out before holding off the challenge of the Longford defenders and planting a great shot past Murphy in the Longford goal.

Dundalk added a second in the 22nd minute when Chloe Callaghan raced through from a great Lucie Gibson pass and neatly slotted the ball past the advancing goalkeeper.

Longford continued to be positive, and Concannon forced Luisa Silva De Presbiteris into a save with a shot from distance. At the other end, Murphy saved well from a powerful strike from Georgia Hall before also keeping out a further effort from Callaghan.

Kilmartin then found herself in a good position during a Longford attack, but Silva De Presbiteris was well positioned to save. Murphy was called into action again soon after, denying Callaghan from close range.

The two goalkeepers continued to excel, with Silva De Presbiteris producing an outstanding save at the feet of the inrushing Kilmartin. Then, after 42 minutes, Murphy saved a powerful drive from Levins before making another great save to deny Callaghan a minute later.

Both sides started the second half brightly, but it was Dundalk who extended their lead in the 55th minute when Callaghan went through from a Ruby Hynes pass, skilfully rounded Murphy and scored into the empty net.

Callaghan repeated the trick after 63 minutes when she again went through, this time from a Levins pass. She got to the ball just before Murphy and was able to steer it into the net from 22 yards.

Longford pulled a deserved goal back for their efforts in the 78th minute when Megan Magovern scored with a fine finish from the edge of the area.

In the 85th minute, Dundalk substitute goalkeeper Sarah Murphy saved well from a powerful long-range effort from Lakomska as the visitors continued to push forward.

Overall, it was a strong performance from Dundalk, who showed quality in attack and resilience at the back, while Longford also played their part in an entertaining contest at Oriel Park.

Dundalk: Luisa Silva De Presbiteris, Croia Toye, Zara Farnan, Danielle Cromwell, Lucie Gibson, Georgia Hall, Chloe Callaghan, Freya Kennedy, Sarah Burke, Sophie Levins, Lanah Sherlock. Subs: Erin Costigan, Ruby Hynes, Aoife Barry, Anna Russell, Georgia Holohan, Sarah Murphy.

Longford Town: Murphy, Hayes, Buckley, Lawrence, Rattray, Concannon, Rothwell-Mitchell, McKiernan, McGovern, N Kilmartin, Doyle. Subs: Bird, Ledwith, McHugh, Gallacher, Varley, Lamoska, E Kilmartin, Maguire, McVeigh.