Under-16s battle to the end in final
DUNDALK U16s travelled to the Oscar Traynor complex in Coolock to take on Ashbourne in the O’Neill Cup Final. The sun was shining and Dundalk took great support with them.
Dundalk started well and exerted a lot of pressure, but it was Ashbourne who struck first from a corner. That early setback put Dundalk on the back foot and they took a while to recover.
However, they began to make headway down the flanks and Seona Halligan kept the Ashbourne defenders on their toes.
Dundalk would have been hoping to make it to the interval without conceding again, but Ashbourne doubled their lead in the 37th minute and to rub salt in sore wounds the Lilywhites had very strong claims for obstruction in the build-up.
After a good chat and refuel at half Dundalk attacked the second-half with renewed vigour, but weren’t rewarded until the 85th minute with a screamer of a freekick from Louise Johnston who fired to the top corner to set up an exciting finale.
Unfortunately time ran out on the young Lilywhites who battled to the bitter end and can be immensely proud of their performances all season long.
The club would like to thank the parents/supporter for their help during the year, Dundalk FC for the jersies and Turlough from DKIT Sport for the use of their pitches. DUNDALK: Rachel Mullen, Caoimhe Conroy, Bronagh Mulholland, Rebecca Lambe Fagan, Kerry-Ann Darcy, Aoife Byrne, Louise Johnston, Beth Hughes, Katie Moran, Caoimhe Crichton, Seona Halligan, Emily Johnston, Andrea Stewart, Ayo Adesanya, Grace Ojo, Kerri Clinton