Dundalk FC defeated by Longford Town in a pre-season friendly tonight

Dundalk FC have been defeated 1-0 by Longford Town in a pre-season friendly tonight.

The Lilywhites produced a dominant first-half display at Oriel Park, but substitute Francis Campbell’s goal two minutes into the second proved decisive for the visitors.

New signing Dara Keane missed out after picking up a strain, but Koen Oostenbrink and Robbie Mahon were both named in the starting XI by head coach Stephen O’Donnell, while Jamie Walker – following arrival at Oriel on Tuesday – was listed as a substitute.

The first opportunity of a freezing night at Oriel fell to Longford, with Luke Wade-Slater racing through on goal out on the left flank, but the ex-Bohemians winger fired off target.

It was all Dundalk after that effort on four minutes, however, as Ryan O’Kane found Daryl Horgan seconds later at the other end, with the Galwegian finding the side-netting.

O’Donnell handed a start to 18-year-old Eoin Kenny, a son of former manager Stephen that impressively led the Lilywhite line throughout the first half, donning the number nine shirt, while teenage duo Luke Mulligan and Sean Keogh were also in from the off.

Ex-Marist student Kenny, who enjoyed a productive loan spell at Wexford last season, picked up the ball inside the penalty box on seven minutes before proceeding to crash a powerful effort off the underside of the crossbar as Dundalk continued their dominance.

Shortly afterwards, O’Kane easily got away from Adam Wixted out on the right before cutting inside and setting himself up for a shot that ended up wide of the intended target.

O’Kane’s neat pass found Mahon, who took a touch before driving an effort inches wide.

Horgan’s corner from the left was pushed away by Longford goalkeeper Jack Brady, but only as far as 16-year-old Mulligan, whose volleyed attempt from distance sailed over.

Dundalk’s relentless press continued as the first half neared its conclusion, with O’Kane drilling wide from distance, before Kenny got himself involved in two more good attacks.

He started a move by finding Horgan out on the left, with Dundalk’s number seven then crossing for Kenny, whose planted header from close range fell into the arms of Brady.

Three minutes before the half-time break, Kenny found Horgan inside the area, but Brady managed to get himself out quickly to deny the 17-time capped Irish international.

Despite their first-half dominance, The Lilywhites fell behind on 47 minutes, with Campbell, one of six half-time changes for Stephen Henderson’s side, slotting home.

At the opposite end, Keogh and substitute Archie Davies both saw their free-kick attempts sail off target in what was an uneventful second half on the Carrick Road.

U19 call-up Conor O’Gorman forced Jack Harrington into a save, not long before Robbie Benson curled a free which hit the woodwork with less than five minutes remaining.

Dundalk FC: Trialist 1; Luke Mulligan (Archie Davies 61), Mayowa Animasahun (Tom McLoughlin 61), Andy Boyle (Louie Annesley 61), Sean Keogh (Jamie Walker 61); Hayden Muller (Scott Brady 61), Koen Oostenbrink (Paul Doyle 61); Daryl Horgan (Conor O’Gorman 61), Ryan O’Kane (Robbie Benson 61), Robbie Mahon (Trialist 6 61); Eoin Kenny (Cameron Elliott 61)

Subs not used: Sean Molloy (gk), Aidan Russell, Dualta Honney, Luke Povall

Longford Town: Jack Brady (Jack Harrington HT); Shane Elworthy (Trialist 4 61), Trialist 1 (Trialist 6 61), Oisin Hand (Trialist 3 61), Kyle O’Connor (Trialist 7 61); Bastien Hery (Trialist 5 HT), Trialist 2 (Conor Crowley 61); Luke Wade-Slater (Karl Chambers HT), Dean George (Ross Fay HT), Adam Wixted (Dean O’Shea HT); Chris Lyons (Francis Campbell HT)

Referee: Colin Halligan (Louth)