All-square in Belfast as Dundalk FC come from behind to deny Linfield
Linfield 1 Dundalk FC 1
Unite the Union Champions Cup first leg
Linfield 1-1 Dundalk FC
The inaugural Unite the Union Champions Cup got underway tonight at a bitterly cold Windsor Park as Linfield and Dundalk FC played out a 1-1 draw.
Still nursing from their FAI Cup final defeat last weekend, the serial League of Ireland winners fell behind in the ninth minute when Shayne Lavery put the Belfast side in front, only for Daniel Kelly to equalise for Vinny Perth’s side on 51 minutes.
Dundalk announced the signing of Greg Sloggett from Derry City just hours before kick-off, but there was no place in the team for fellow midfielder Robbie Benson, who is being strongly linked with a move away from the club.
The hosts took the lead inside nine minutes when highly-rated Northern Irish international striker Lavery danced around Sean Hoare and Andy Boyle before expertly finishing past Gary Rogers to give the Irish League champions the advantage.
Seconds after his misplaced pass almost gifted Linfield a second, Jordan Flores found himself in space at the other end before curling an effort just wide of the rooted Gareth Deane’s near post in what was Dundalk’s first serious attempt.
The home support thought their side had doubled their advantage two minutes before the break when Matthew Clarke played an incisive pass into the path of Joel Cooper, whose powerful shot hit the side-netting.
Instead, it was the Lilywhites that equalised six minutes after the restart when Patrick Hoban did well out on the left before slipping Daniel Kelly through on goal and he confidently finished past Deane.
Neither side could fashion a winner after that with both teams looking content to take the 1-1 scoreline back to Oriel Park for the return leg this Monday night.
Linfield: Gareth Deane; Niall Quinn, Mark Stafford, Jimmy Callacher, Matthew Clarke; Jamie Mulgrew, Stephen Fallon (Andrew Mitchell 86); Kirk Millar, Bastien Hery, Joel Cooper (Andrew Waterworth 65); Shayne Lavery
Subs not used: Rohan Ferguson (gk), Joshua Robinson, Chris Casement, Matthew Shevlin, Daniel Reynolds
Dundalk FC: Gary Rogers; Cameron Dummigan (Sean Gannon 63), Sean Hoare, Andy Boyle, Dean Jarvis; Chris Shields, Jordan Flores; John Mountney (Michael Duffy 58), Jamie McGrath, Daniel Kelly; Patrick Hoban (Georgie Kelly 81)
Subs not used: Aaron McCarey (gk), Brian Gartland, Dane Massey, Robbie Benson
Referee: Ian McNabb (Northern Ireland)
Attendance: 2,819 (official)