Youths FAI Cup Semi Final - St Patrick's Athletic 1 Dundalk 2

The Dundalk Youths team today reached the Youths FAI Cup Final, with a semi final defeat of St Pats at Inchicore. The home side took the lead through a goal from Andy Haron after 27 mins. Stephen Hutchinson used a corner to supply the cross for Gerard Connolly to score the lilywhite's equaliser 17 mins into the second half. Sean Conlon took the lead for Dundalk in the 89th minute, with a well deserved goal for his gutsy performance throughout the game. Both 'keepers made significant saves throughout the game, indicating the level of chances created by both teams. The Dundalk Youths deserve a huge well done for this victory, they worked hard and earned their place in the final.

This was a battle not relished by Waterford management or players, with pitiful excuses about the pitch. The home team came out on top, eventually, with a spectacular finish from Dundalk MOTM David Cassidy (again!). The lilywhite fans really got behind the team tonight, with a high volume of support throughout the game. Hopefully this can be maintained for the rest of the season, as that is a valid advantage - unlike our pitch!

Dundalk 2 Wexford 1, eL Series 4

Dundalk's opposition this week proved tougher than expected by a lot of lilywhites. Wexford Youths are growing up, and it shows. This is a good team, going places and getting there in the right way. They provided tough opposition and kept the home team on their toes throughout the game. The whites looked solid, however, and fully deserved the 3 points - perhaps deserving to win it by more than a single goal, but you have to take your chances!

Neil Doyle took the whistle (and, some might say, the biscuit!) again tonight in a performance summarised in his reaction to a tangle between Vaughan and Wexford's Garett Larkin. He awarded Vaughan a free, which was followed by Larkin digging Vaughan in the chest with his shoulder. The two "boys" then proceeded to chat as they walked away, no grudges held, and were actually laughing together by the time Doyle blew his whistle to call them back and give them a talking to! Barmy, that the pedantic official felt the need to eliminate bad feeling that evidently didn't exist!