Dundalk defeated on penalties in Jim Malone Cup

Jim Malone Cup

Drogheda United 0-0 Dundalk 

(Drogheda win 6-5 on penalties)

Drogheda United picked up the Jim Malone Cup trophy for the second year running after beating Dundalk FC 6-5 in a penalty shootout after the sides played out a 0-0 draw.

An even contest at Weaver’s Park meant both teams weren’t able to be separated over 90 minutes, so the game went straight to penalties, where Drogheda’s hero was teenage goalkeeper Andrew Wogan, who saved the decisive kick from Dundalk’s Louie Annesley.

The hosts created the game’s first opening inside 60 seconds, with striker Freddie Draper – one of two loan signings from Lincoln City – firing wide of Peter Cherrie’s goal.

Dundalk’s first offering arose on six minutes, with a Ryan O’Kane cross being helped on by Patrick Hoban, but John Martin just couldn’t convert as Colin McCabe gathered.

As a contest, it began to open up after that, with Drogheda winger Dayle Rooney looking dangerous, and he broke through before firing a shot from outside the box off target, while seconds later at the other end, Conor Malley had an attempt deflected just wide.

Rooney capitalised on some slack defending, but Cherrie was equal to his effort on 13 minutes, but those in attendance had to wait until the 34th minute for the next chance.

It came when a neat exchange between Lincoln loanee Elicha Ahui and Darragh Markey saw the latter’s cross from the right met by Ryan Brennan, who diverted inches wide.

Dundalk had two more openings before the half-time break, with O’Kane curling off target, while the impressive Malley showed excellent control before drilling a shot wide.

In the second half, Adam Foley volleyed well over after he had been picked out by a Rooney cross, while at the other end, Hoban planted a header wide from a Ward corner.

Dundalk could have won it in the closing stages through Robbie Benson, whose shot was deflected wide, while Greg Sloggett flicked over, with the game then going to penalties.

All penalties in the shootout were converted before Gibraltar international Annesley had his sudden-death kick saved by Wogan, who secured the trophy for Kevin Doherty’s men.

Drogheda United: Colin McCabe (Andrew Wogan 75); Elicha Ahui, Ben Curtis (Emmanuel Adegboyega 69), Conor Keeley, Evan Weir (Jarlath Jones 70); Gary Deegan, Ryan Brennan (Emre Topcu 64); Adam Foley (Aaron McNally 64), Darragh Markey, Dayle Rooney (Warren Davis 75); Freddie Draper (Michael Leddy 69)

Subs not used: Callum Ralph, Victor Arong

Dundalk FC: Peter Cherrie; Archie Davies, Hayden Muller (Darragh Leahy 65), Andy Boyle, Louie Annesley; Greg Sloggett, Keith Ward (Alfie Lewis 65); John Martin (Cameron Elliott 65), Conor Malley, Ryan O’Kane (Robbie Benson 65); Patrick Hoban

Subs not used: Mark Byrne (gk), Eoin Kenny, Callum Bonner, Oisin Coleman, Jake Hough, Anthony Mayo

Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin)