Dundalk FC 0-0 Finn Harps

Match Report

Our opening pre-season friendly of 2023 ended in a scoreless draw against Finn Harps at Oriel Park.

Two of our new arrivals, Hayden Muller and Connor Malley both started the game with Muller – who hit the post with a second-half header – showing his versatility by playing at centre-back and right-back across the 90 minutes.

Paul Doyle and Patrick Hoban, who both missed a large chunk of the second half of the 2022 campaign with injuries – were also named in a starting XI that included youngster Senan Mullen, who acquitted himself very well at left-back.

Hoban glanced a header just off target with the best opening of the first half and Muller almost marked his first appearance at Oriel Park with a goal but his second-half effort crashed off the woodwork from close range.

Malley went close with a late drive and our fourth new arrival, Louie Annesley, thought he had won the game in the final minute when he hooked a free-kick past Tim-Oliver Hiemer but the goal was ruled out for offside.

DUNDALK FC: Nathan Shepperd (Mark Byrne, HT), Trialist, Hayden Muller, Andy Boyle (Callum Bonner 67), Senan Mullen (Anthony Mayo HT), Paul Doyle (Louie Annesley HT), Alfie Lewis (Eoin Kenny 67); Ryan O’Kane (Jake Hough 67), Connor Malley (Oisin Coleman 76), Keith Ward, Patrick Hoban (Cameron Elliott HT). Sub not used: Luke Mulligan.

FINN HARPS: Tim-Oliver Hiemer, Caoimhin Porter, Daithi McCallion (Trialist 75), Keith Cowan (Trialist 58), Trialist (Kevin Jordan 75); Trialist (Trialist 75), Ryan Rainey (Trialist 58); Sean O’Donnell (Trialist 75), Seamas Keogh (Trialist 51), Michael Harris (Brendan McLaughlin 75); Trialist (Shaunie Bradley 75).

REFEREE: Robert Harvey.