Dundalk 2 - 1 Wexford Youths

Dundalk were the victors by two goals to one in a pre-season friendly against Wexford Youths on a cold night in Oriel Park.

Dundalk opened the scoring just before the quarter hour mark through Kurtis Byrne, who volleyed home from 20 yards before Aidan Keenan equalised for the visitors on 25 minutes. Lilywhite captain Stephen O’Donnell sealed the victory with a header on 80 minutes.

After a quiet opening 10 minutes, Dundalk broke the deadlock when a good through ball from Keith Ward played in Byrne and the former Ross County striker’s volley from 20 yards wasn’t dealt with by Graham Doyle in the Youths goal. The ball trickled into the bottom right hand corner and Byrne almost doubled the lead 60 seconds later but his shot from 25 yards ended up well behind the goal.

The striker once again had a chance to put his side further in front but his header from a Vinny Faherty cross was brilliantly saved by Doyle. It was then, with their first venture into the opposition half, that Wexford Youths equalised. After finding some space 30 yards from goal, Brian Nolan shot but Peter Cherrie could only parry straight into the path of Keenan who gladly slotted home from close range.

Dundalk retained much of the ball for the remainder of the half and Byrne once again had an effort saved by Doyle while Keith Ward had a shot also tipped over by the Youths netminder. At the other end Nolan had a shot go wide from distance just before the break and it was 1-1 at half-time.

The second half took a while to get going with changes being made by both sides. Nolan had a free-kick blocked by the wall from 20 yards and that was the only chance for 20 minutes until Byrne had another effort for the home side as his brilliant shot came back off the post.

With 10 minutes remaining, Dundalk put together the best move of the half. Some good play in midfield saw the ball fall to John Dillon. His expert cross found Stephen O’Donnell who rose highest to head to the corner of Doyle’s goal.

Despite a late goalmouth scramble, the visitors couldn’t get the equaliser and Dundalk held on to claim their fourth victory in a row!

DUNDALK: Peter Cherrie; Darren Meenan (Stephen McDonnell 58), Mark Rossiter, Robert Maloney, Dane Massey (Eoghan Osborne 72); John Dillon, Stephen O’Donnell, John Mountney (Richie Towell 58), Keith Ward; Vinny Faherty (Pat Hoban 65), Kurtis Byrne (Sami Osobe 85).
Unused Substitutes:  John McKeown, Manuel. 

Booked: None

WEXFORD YOUTHS: Graham Doyle; Shane Clarke, Gary Delaney, Jamie Carr, James Dermody; Aidan Keenan, Caolan O’Gorman, Brian Nolan, Dean Broaders; Glen Hawe, Graham Delaney (Joe Mulcahy 55).
Unused Substitutes: None.

Booked: Joe Mulcahy (89)

Referee: Dave McKeon.

Attendance: 200 (estimate).

Extratime.ie man of the match: Kurtis Byrne (Dundalk).