- Tom O'Connor
- Sun, Jul 24 2016
Martin Connolly’s Dundalk under-19s won a pulsating game at Oriel Park on Saturday afternoon as they raced into a three -goal lead before grinding out a 4-3 victory over St Patrick's Athletic.
The first half began at a slow pace with both sides trading punches in midfield before the deadlock was broken in the 10th minute with Garrett Craven’s corner being powered to the net by Jordi Ebanda following excellent work down the left from Carlton Ubaezuono.
Six minutes later, the home side almost increased their lead but Jake O’Connor’s header just flew over the crossbar.
However they were not to be denied a second as Michael O’Connor pressurised the away defence and tucked away a loose ball from close range after 22 minutes.
St Pat’s didn’t lie down however and Kane’s looping header was well held by Ben Kelly.
The Inchicore side soon found themselves another goal in arrears as Keith Dalton won a battle with the last defender, shimmied the goalkeeper and slotted the ball into the net on 32 minutes.
A few minutes later, following a bout of midfield battling, Rory Feely let fly from distance and the ball arrowed into the top corner of the Town goal.
Five minutes later, the lead was further reduced when some neat control from Lennon in midfield played in Jonathan Lunney and his lofted finish from just inside the corner of the box was of the highest quality to leave it 3-2 at half time.
The second half was a scrappy affair for the first few minutes and Ben Kelly excelled in goal for the Lilywhites with an excellent headed interception followed by some great handling to stop a snapshot from Darragh Markey.
he home side broke clear in the next attack and Jordi Ebanda forced the defence into a mistake before clipping the ball past Donnelly in the St Pat’s goal and restoring a two goal advantage.
They were pinned back once more in the 73rd minute as Rory Feely powered in a header from ten yards following excellent defensive work by Anton Reilly to defend an earlier attack.
Jordi Ebanda broke clear once more but some excellent defending crowded out Michael O’Connor.
St Pat’s broke downfield and hit the post from close range before Lunney shot over the bar with ten minutes remaining. St Pat’s piled on the pressure in the final period but Dundalk held firm to record an entertaining victory.
Dundalk: Ben Kelly, James Rice, Eric Welan, Anton Reilly, Carlton Ubaezuono, Dean Watters, Jake O’Connor, Jordi Ebanda, Garrett Craven (Jack O'Keeffe 59), Keith Dalton, Michael O’Connor.
Subs not used: Oisín Finn, Aaron Casey, Alan Mc Quillan, Cormac Boyle, Jordan Kelly.
St Patrick’s Athletic: Eric Donnelly, Shane Elworthy, Rory Feel, Ciarán Kelly, Conor Kane, Fuad Sule (Sean Quinn 90), Jamie Lennon (George Mukete 60), Darragh Markey, William McAdams (Troy Carey 60), Aidan Keena, Jonathan Lunney
Subs not used: Nathan Benson, Daniel O’Donovan.
Booked: Conor Kane (90).
Attendance: 50 (estimate).
Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Jordi Ebanda (Dundalk).
