MU20s - Dundalk FC 2-0 Bohemian FC

Dundalk MU20s produced an excellent performance to defeat group leaders Bohemian FC at Oriel Park on Saturday afternoon. The opening 25 minutes was a cagey affair, with both sides well organised and competitive, but neither able to create a clear chance.

Leo Gaxha, continuing his recovery from long-term injury, was at the heart of Dundalk’s best attacking moments in the opening half.

The first clear chance arrived in the 26th minute when Hugh Martin’s shot was pushed wide by Shayne O’Byrne. From the resulting corner, Snow flashed a powerful shot just wide of the upright.

Dundalk’s first opportunity of the half came in the 37th minute when Aaron Keogh sent Gaxha clear on the right, but his powerful shot went over Finn McDonnell’s crossbar.

McDonnell then produced a magnificent save to deny Ethan Hall after the defender had brilliantly created space for a shot in a packed Bohs penalty area.

Dundalk ended the first half on the offensive, forcing a number of corners which Bohs defended strongly. Then, just before the whistle, McDonnell saved a 20-yard effort from Max Ferguson.

With Gaxha withdrawn at half-time after playing a planned 45 minutes, his replacement, Cian O’Leary, set up the first chance of the second half when he cut into the box and picked out Luke Mulligan, whose shot was deflected wide.

However, from the resulting corner, Mulligan rose high in the six-yard box to head Keogh’s delivery past McDonnell and give Dundalk the lead.

O’Byrne saved a Martin free-kick in the 56th minute as Bohs responded, while Conall Alfred smashed a half-cleared corner narrowly wide with a thunderous volley on the hour mark.

Dundalk dominated proceedings, constantly stretching the Bohs defence, and again came close to extending their lead when substitute Patrick Ibikunle won possession and set up Keogh, whose shot went narrowly wide.

McDonnell produced a stunning save to tip O’Leary’s shot over the bar in the 72nd minute, and soon afterwards got down well at his near post to deny Ferguson after some industrious work by Keogh.

It was from that incident that Dundalk got their second. Karl Stenson-Browne’s inswinging corner was headed into the net by captain Shay Casey.

O’Byrne was called upon to save from Dunne’s header in the 85th minute, before Martin drilled a low shot just wide of O’Byrne’s far post, but Shane Grimes’ team held firm to secure the three points.

Dundalk: Shayne O’Byrne, Rhys O’Hare, Karl Stenson-Browne, Ethan Hall, Shay Casey, Caimin Murphy, Leo Gaxha, Luke Mulligan, Max Ferguson, Aaron Keogh, Conall Alfred, Leon Laban.

Subs: Cian O’Leary for Gaxha (HT); Patrick Ibikunle for Mulligan (67); Oluwaferanmi Makinwa for Ferguson (78); Matthew McCloskey for Alfred (84).

Bohs: McConnell, Rossi, Connell, Hudson, Dunne, Snow, O’Connor, Egan, Harpur, Martin, Clarke.

Subs: Burke for Hudson (43); Conlon for Harpur (HT); Birrell for O’Connor (62).

Photos: Gerry Scully