In-form Kelly on target again as Dundalk win in La Manga
DUNDALK enjoyed two good workouts during their Spanish training camp in Murcia last week against Swedish side IF Brommapojkarna and Austrian outfit LASK Linz.
The highlight of the trip came on Friday when Vinny Perth’s side ran out 3-1 winners over the Swedes in La Manga.
Dundalk took an early lead with Georgie Kelly netting his fourth goal of pre-season with a cool finish on seven minutes when he drilled low and hard past Hampus Elgan from captain Brian Gartland’s downhead header.
The Lilywhites then doubled their advantage on 27 minutes with Michael Duffy drilling low to the bottom left hand corner of the net from 25 yards out.
By contrast the Swedes only had one chance of note in the first half when captain Gustav Sandberg Magnusson headed over unmarked from a corner on 25 minutes.
Dundalk then passed up a great chance to make it 3-0 within 30 seconds of the restart when John Mountney headed just wide from a Dean Jarvis cross.
Brommapojkarna were gifted a way back into the game on 52 minutes from the penalty spot. After debutant Aaron McCarey touched over a shot from Magnusson for a corner, the resultant delivery wasn’t dealt with as Daniel Cleary was adjudged to have handled in his attempt at a diving header clear. Up stepped Philip Hellquist to make it 2-1 from the spot, despite McCarey going the right way.
There were chances at either end after that with Patrick McEleney going close with a free kick on 62 minutes before McCarey denied Johan Falkmar two minutes later after he had broke through one-on-one.
The result was put beyond doubt with the goal of the game on 74 minutes. A great ball out of defence by substitute Stephen Folan picked out McEleney, who in turn dinked a superb pass into space for Mountney to race onto before finishing low to the bottom left hand corner.
There was one minor late scare for Dundalk when Aron Senden hit the post for Brommapojkarna right at the end but there was little doubt who the deserving winners were.
The first game of trip took place three days earlier on Tuesday at the Finca Golf Resort where LASK Linz ran out 3-0 winners in a result which onlookers said somewhat flattered a side who are currently second in the Austrian Bundesliga table behind pacesetters RB Salzburg.
An early goal from Brazilian forward Joao Victor put Linz in the driving seat before they doubled their lead just before the break through Florian Jamnig – a goal which looked well offside according to those in attendance.
Dundalk applied plenty of pressure in the second half but couldn’t break down the Austrians, who earned a flattering win courtesy of a third goal right at the end. It was nevertheless deemed a good workout for the Lilywhites against a side 18 games into their season.
Dundalk v IF Brommapojkarna: McCarey (Treacy 87); Gannon (Hand 87), Gartland (Folan 62), Cleary, Jarvis; Shields (Hoare 75), Benson (Lotefa 80); Mountney (Massey 80), McEleney, Duffy (D Kelly 62); G Kelly (Hoban 62). Sub not used: Rogers.
Dundalk v LASK Linz: Rogers; Gannon (Hand), Gartland (Folan), Hoare, Massey; Shields (Cleary), Benson (Jarvis); D Kelly, McEleney (Mountney), Duffy (Lotefa); Hoban (G Kelly). Subs not used: Treacy, McCarey.