Mark Farren Cup Report: Dundalk U17s 2 - 0 Cabinteely U17s

 

The home side lined out with Abraham Dixon between the sticks, Gavin Smith and James Prendergast in the centre of defence with Liam Jackson and Jack Mc Kenna on the flanks. Mark Kilgallon and Thomas Martin anchored the midfield with a trio of Luke Gorham, Tauvydas Semelivicius and Scott Prendergast supporting lone attacker and skipper Jordan Kelly.

 

The first half was littered with half chances for Dundalk, including two efforts from Scott Prendergast which flew over the bar and an effort from Jordan Kelly which he didn’t connect with as expertly as he would have wished. The rhythm of the match was disrupted as Martin went off injured in the 34th minute with his replacement and regular captain Adam Finnegan slotting into his usual role in front of the defence. 

 

The last ten minutes of the half were dominated by Cabinteely as Abraham Dixon had to save well twice. The first a flying save following a long range thunderbolt and the second a smart stop with his feet just before the break.

 

The second half began with the home side under pressure and Dixon had to be at his best once more to repel Cabinteely as he showed strong hands to take the sting out of a piledriver from distance while a minute later he saved a close range effort with his legs. Gavin Smith was immense throughout and really came to the fore from the 60th minute onwards as he was moved from centre back into midfield when Andrew Mooney replaced Mark Kilgallon.

 

The third quarter of the match saw both sides go close with the energetic Jordan Kelly, who ran his socks off all night, having a couple of efforts deflected wide and a flying Dixon denying Cabinteely’s O’Neill.

 

In extra time the home side totally dominated with several chances falling to Luke Gorham but the wingman couldn’t convert after doing well to create the opportunities himself. The second period saw the impressive Dixon thwart the Dublin side once more before his opposite number Farrell pulled off a fantastic save from a close range Smith header and then did well to hold a Scott Prendergast effort from the edge of the box.

 

The home side weren’t to be denied for long and with ten minutes remaining substitute Jack O’Keefe rifled a low effort to the corner of the net from the edge of the box following a throw in. It was a very measured and composed finish from the forward.

 

Six minutes later, his fellow attacker Kelly finally got the goal his performance deserved as he calmly slotted the ball past the keeper after a great through ball. There was still time for Cabinteely to attack but, once more, Dixon stood tall and deflected the ball out for a corner. With that the game finished and Dundalk marched on to the next round of the Mark Farren Cup.

 

 

Dundalk FC: Abraham Dixon, Liam Jackson, Gavin Smith, James Prendergast,  Jack Mc Kenna, Thomas Martin, Mark Kilgallon, Scott Prendergast, Luke Gorham, Tauvydas Semelivicius, Jordan Kelly (capt).

Subs Used: Ryan Kavanagh, Andrew Mooney, Adam Finnegan, Jack O’Keefe.

 

Cabinteely FC: Ethan Farrell, Ryan Burke, Sean Price, Dylan Fleming (Capt), Aaron Connolly, Alex Asai, Fionn Carroll, Jack Hobson, Cathal Harney, Zak O’Neill, Jack Maguire.

Subs Used: Cian Lynch, Kian Bolger, Eoghan O’Neill.

Subs Not Used: Robert Keogh, Nathan Wolahan.