Four-midable Dundalk continue winning streak

DUNDALK FC Under-17s recorded a fourth win of the season over their counterparts from Longford following an impressive display at City Calling Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Liam Burns made four changes from the side that were beaten by St. Patrick’s Athletic FC last time out, with Liam Jackson, Gavin Smith, Daniel Corcoran and Luke Gorham all making the staring XI.

Captain Adam Finnegan was protected by a back four of Jackson, G. Smith, Corcoran and Jack Reid, while Scott Prendergast and Jack O’Keefe started in midfield supporting Jordan Kelly in attack. Gorham and Shane Gregory lined up wide-right and wide-left respectively, with Thomas Martin playing in central midfield.

The young Lilywhites were the better side for much of the opening half and, although chances were fashioned intermittently, they remained generally limited before Gregory opened the scoring.

Martin delivered a precise pass over the top for Kelly to latch onto before being brought to the ground by the Longford defender. Gregory stepped up and from 20 yards he rifled the free-kick to the top left hand corner.

The visitors continued to carve out the better opportunities, and doubled their advantage courtesy blocked by the onrushing Longford defence after Gorham found space to deliver the cross from the right.

Longford went looking for a way back into the game but Dundalk held firm to a comfortable 2-0 victory and were determined not to be beaten as the team recorded the first clean sheet of the season.

Liam Burns reflected afterwards and praised the character and response of his players after last weekends defeat. He said: ‘After last week I asked the players to respond positively and they answered that today against Longford and showed pride in playing for Dundalk.

‘It was nice to get back to winning ways and we are coming into the break now so when we play the Louth derby I want to see the players continue from where they left off.’

Dundalk FC Under-17s return to action in the league in three weeks when they take on Drogheda United FC at United Park on Friday 17th June (2pm). DUNDALK FC: Adam Finnegan (capt), Jack Reid, Gavin Smith, Daniel Corcoran, Liam Jackson, Thomas Martin; Scott Prendergast, Jack O’Keefe, Shane Gregory, Luke Gorham (Tauvydas Semelivicius 85), Jordan Kelly. Substitutes not used: Andrew Mooney, James Prendergast, Jack McKenna, Ryan Kavanagh, Mark Kilgallon.