Friendly Report: Warrenpoint Town 0 - 4 Dundalk

Dundalk defeated Warrenpoint Town 4-0 in tonight’s friendly encounter in Milltown.

Ronan Finn put the Lilywhites one-up in the early stages of the first-half with a crisp right-footed effort, a scoreline which remained intact until four minutes after half-time when substitute Ciaran Kilduff drove a peach into the top right-hand corner with almost his first touch.

Brian Gartland extended Dundalk’s advantage shortly after by tapping home a cross from the left while comically the visitors made it four when Stephen Moan spectacularly chipped his own ‘keeper when attempting to clear from the edge of his own area.

One concern for Stephen Kenny though in heading into next week’s encounter with Maccabi Tel-Aviv will be the fitness of Chris Shields. The midfielder hobbled off on the hour mark with a hamstring complaint. Apart from that it was a useful run-out for the Lilywhites as they continue their preparation for their crunch game in Israel next Thursday night.

Warrenpoint, coached by two former Lilywhites in Matthew Tipton and Stephen McDonnell, had only two first-teamers on the pitch from the off with Dermot McVeigh and Aaron Traynor the only survivors from the Point’s Mid-Ulster Cup semi-final victory over Glenavon on Tuesday night.

The Lilywhites, playing their final game of the year on Irish shores, played nigh on their strongest team with ten of the players that featured against AZ in last Thursday night’s Europa League team in the starting line-up, Paddy Barrett being the exception.

It showed as the Lilywhites were on top from the off and duly went ahead in the 11^th minute when Finn tucked the ball hard and low into the net, following Robbie Benson’s left-footed effort which was spilled by Stephen Maguire in goal for the home side.

The League of Ireland champions completely monopolised the early stages with David McMillan and Benson having shots on target before the latter saw a low shot saved superbly by the outstretched leg of Maguire. The ‘keeper’s palms were certainly warming up on a freezing cold night on the south Down coast.

Stephen Kenny’s men were described as ‘ring-rusty’ during their most recent friendly with Brentford two-weeks ago, a 2-0 defeat. Tonight was the exact opposite as they pummelled the side currently leading the Irish League Championship with their crisp play. The slickness in their play had Warrenpoint chasing shadows with Benson, Finn and Patrick McEleney causing havoc in and around the 18-yard area.

Chances were readily presenting themselves for the Lilywhites as the half progressed with McMillan’s vicious free-kick from 20-yards seeing Maguire pull off his third breathtaking save of the half flying airborne to his right.

Somehow, it was only 1-0 at the interval, and the Point hadn't had a shot at Gary Rogers during the entire first 45 minutes.

It was 2-0 minutes after the restart when substitute Kilduff bent a right-footed shot beautifully inside the far post following a flowing move across the field with the irresistible Benson centrally involved.

In their very next attack the Lilywhites made it three with Gartland nodding home from three-yards, McEleney providing the assist having beaten James Haughey all ends up.

By this stage the result was academic, but this didn’t stop Benson from continuing to express his technical brilliance. Cruyff turns, disguised passes and wicked shots were seemingly the order of the day for the former UCD skipper. He could be vital for Kenny in selecting his team for next week, especially with Shields having hobbled off and Stephen O’Donnell being rated doubtful.

The goal of the night award must go to Warrenpoint substitute Stephen Moan, although Kilduff may have something to say about that. The sturdy central defender must have felt he was carrying out his duties to the letter of the law when deflecting the ball away off the toe of the Dundalk frontman, that was until the ball rose high over the stranded Maguire and into the net for 4-0.

The best that Tipton’s charges could muster in response was a wicked right-footed drive from trialist Curtis Dempster which rattled the side netting. Apart from that and a spectacular 60-yard effort from Josh Lynch, Warrenpoint never threatened Rogers once.

Next stop for Dundalk is Israel.

Warrenpoint Town: Stephen Maguire; James Haughey, Adam Gartland (Stephen Moan 46), Dermot McVeigh (Kurtis Bain 55), Aaron Traynor; Josh Lynch, Liam McKenna; Tiarnan Mulvenna, Liam Bagnall, Thomas Lockhart (Aaron Devlin 46); Ruairi Croskery (Curtis Dempster 46)

Subs not used: None.

Dundalk FC: Gary Rogers (Gabriel Sava 46); Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Paddy Barrett (Andy Boyle 46), Dane Massey; Ronan Finn (Michael O’Connor 80), Chris Shields (Paddy Barrett 60), Robbie Benson; Patrick McEleney, David McMillan, John Mountney (Ciaran Kilduff 46).

Subs not used: Darren Meenan.

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Robbie Benson (Dundalk).