U19 Enda McGuill Cup Report - Drogheda United 1-5 Dundalk

A hat-trick from Carlton Ubaezuono and a brace from Jack O’Keefe sent Dundalk into the semi-final of the U19 Enda McGuill Cup despite Drogheda taking an early lead.

It was a dream start for Drogheda in this U19 cup derby as Karl Fitzsimons found space and his drive beat Matt Lyons to give the Boynesiders a first minute lead.

Drogheda went close to doubling their lead minutes later as James Carroll’s superb low ball from the right flashed across the face of goal, inches in front of the stretching Mark Doyle who couldn’t get a touch to divert it goalward.

Dundalk found a way back into the game and were awarded a penalty on 18 minutes for a foul by Conor Grogan in the box. Jack O’Keefe stepped up to beat Dylan Sweeney and equalise for the visitors.

Sweeney was called into action repeatedly in a three-minute period midway through the first half.

First, a Dundalk free kick took a massive deflection off the Drogheda wall which seemed to send the ball towards the bottom corner only for Sweeney to get down and brilliantly push it clear.

Two minutes later, he was forced into making two saves in quick succession, both from Carlton Ubaezuono. The Dundalk winger beat his man twice and got off shots on each occasion with Sweeney palming clear the first and tipping the second over the bar.

Ubaezuono would however get his goal on 36 minutes as he pounced on a defensive mistake by Drogheda, as they failed to clear their lines and slotted the ball into the far corner past Sweeney.

Dundalk extended their lead eleven minutes into the second half through Ubaezuono as left unmarked in the box, he headed home from a corner from six yards.

Chances were few and far between with the next effort coming through Dundalk substitute Adam Finnegan on 65 minutes as his effort from range went wide of the Drogheda goal.

Dundalk added a fourth on 69 minutes as Drogheda keeper Sweeney made a mistake, dropping the ball and allowing Jack O’Keefe to slot home for his second of the game.

The Lilywhites would add a fifth and it would again come through a Drogheda error as Emmet Carolan was caught in possession. Dundalk played the ball down the left to Ubaezuono who slotted home for his hattrick.

It could have been six for Dundalk had it not been for Sweeney who pulled off a great sliding save to deny Jake O’Connor.

James Carroll shot narrowly wide for Drogheda with a late free kick but it was Dundalk who ran out comfortable 5-1 winners at United Park to progress to the semi-final of the Enda McGuill Cup.

Drogheda United: Dylan Sweeney; James Carroll, Emmett Carolan (C), Sam Reilly (Stephen Doran89’), Craig Darcy; Brian Cabraley (Lee McGuinness 70’), Kyle Molloy (Michael McHugh 87’), Eoin Broughan, Conor Grogan (Gavin Taylor 75’); Karl Fitzsimons (Tom McCarthy 80’); Mark Doyle.

Unused Subs: Harry Hogan (gk), Leo Tang.

Booked: Kyle Molloy (15’), Emmett Carolan (40’), Mark Doyle (43’), Eoin Broughan (45’).

Dundalk: Matt Lyons; James Woods, Eric Whelan, Gavin Smith, Emmet Hughes (James Rice 80’); Dean Watters (Kevin Kelly 89’), Jake O’Connor (C); Cian Flynn, Aaron Townley (Adam Finnegan 65’), Carlton Ubaezuono (Sean O’Hanlon 84’); Jack O’Keefe.

Unused Subs: Shaun Whelan, Scott Prendergast, Oisin Flynn.

Booked: Aaron Townley (32’), Cian Flynn (37’), Carlton Ubaezuono (TBC’), Gavin Smith (81’), Eric Whelan (85’).

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Carlton Ubauezuono (Dundalk).