- Tom O'Connor
- Mon, Jul 18 2016
Dundalk’s Under 19s recorded a scrappy, but well deserved victory over Bohemians at Oriel Park on Tuesday night.
The team lined out with Ben Kelly between the sticks, James Rice and Carlton Ubaezuono defending the flanks with team captain Anton Reilly alongside Eric Whelan at the centre of the defence. Dean Watters and Jake O’Connor anchored the midfield, allowing Keith Dalton, Garrett Craven and Cormac Boyle to support Michael O’Connor who was the lone striker.
The game began brightly for the home side with Eric Whelan having the best of the opportunities but his headed effort from Craven’s free kick flew over the crossbar. Dundalk weren’t to be denied their goal though and on 13 minutes a deep cross from Anton Reilly was chested down expertly by Michael O’Connor and rolled into the back of the net from 15 yards out. Bohemians almost equalised three minutes later but Pastuska’s close range effort cannoned off the crossbar.
A few minutes later, Boyle linked up with Dundalk number 9 O’Connor, but his effort was deflected out by a defender. The home side survived a scare ten minutes from half time as Ben Kelly saved well from a well struck shot on the right wing and then Lawless headed the corner over the crossbar. The home troops rallied back and James Rice linked with the bustling O’Connor which resulted in Jake O’Connor shooting straight at Mahon as the half drew to a close.
It took 15 minutes for the second half to shake into life as Eric Whelan had a header well saved by Mahon and a few minutes later Ben Kelly stretched at the other end to tip O’Hora’s header over his crossbar. Pastuska had Bohemians best chance in the 66th minute but he blazed over with only the onrushing Kelly to beat. The away side were reduced to ten men a minute later as Lawless saw red for a tackle on O’Keefe in midfield. Things could have been worse for Graham O’Hanlon’s Dalymount men but Mahon tipped over Dalton’s dipping effort in the next Dundalk attack.
Bohemians did put the home side under pressure but Ben Kelly punched clear in the presence of several Bohemians attackers. The last ten minutes saw several more chances for the home side to extend their lead but O’Keefe (twice), Ubaezuono and Ebanda all saw their efforts fail to beat Mahon and they saw out the second half as good value for their lead.
Dundalk Ben Kelly, James Rice, Carlton Ubaezuono, Eric Whelan, Anton Reilly (c), Jake O’Connor, Dean Watters, Jake O’Connor, Keith Dalton, Gareth Craven, Michael O’Connor
Substitutes: Oisín Finn, Shane Gregory, Jordan Kelly, Aaron Casey (all unused), Jordi Ebanda, Adam Finnegan, Jack O’Keefe (all used)
Bohemians: Dean Mahon, Conor Byrne, Scott Lawless, Warren O’Hora, Danny Kirk, Fionn Byrne, Jamie Hollywood (c), Dylan Travers, Cian Flynn, Ryan Graydon, Adrian Pastuska
Substitutes: Luca Gratzer, Jamie Hanley (both unused) Darragh Brennan, Stephen Morley (both used)
