Kelly departs Dundalk for Bohemians

Jake Kelly has departed from Dundalk FC after putting pen to paper on a deal with Bohemians this afternoon.

The former St Patrick’s Athletic and Bray Wanderers winger had been given limited opportunities this season by Stephen Kenny although he did score against his former employers at Dalymount Park earlier this season.

Kelly did make a rare appearance off the bench in last Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Cork City at Oriel Park but the signing of Ciaran Kilduff from St Patrick’s Athletic on Monday means his first-team chances were going to become even more limited in the second half of the season.

Kelly will go head to head with his old team-mates next month when Dundalk travel to Dalymount Park to take on Keith Long’s side on August 28^th.

Dundalk put five past Shelbourne

Dundalk ran out 5-0 winners over Shelbourne at Oriel Park last night to book their place in the last 16 of the FAI Cup.

An own goal gave Stephen Kenny’s side the lead on 14 minutes before Jake Kelly doubled the advantage with a header eight minutes later.

Kurtis Byrne made it 3-0 early in the second half before Richie Towell added a fourth from the penalty spot with 20 minutes to go.

Ronan Finn then completed the rout with a fifth in the 89th minute.

Dundalk see off UCC to book EA Sports Cup semi-final spot

Holders Dundalk overcame UCC 5-0 in Cork last night to book their place in the semi-finals of the EA Sports Cup.

Stephen Kenny’s side hit the front inside the opening two minutes through Ciaran O’Connor before Jake Kelly doubled their advantage in the 12^th minute.

Dundalk were 3-0 ahead at the break courtesy of Paddy Barrett’s strike from the edge of the area midway through the first half and the defender made it 4-0 with another long range shot ten minutes after the restart.

Kurtis Byrne then put the icing on the cake with a fifth late on.

Dundalk see off Bohs to make it four wins from four

How things stand after four matches

Dundalk continued their 100% start to the season with a 3-0 victory over Bohemians at Dalymount Park last night to make it four wins from four games so far.

Both sides went into the game with maximum points and no goals conceded but it was Stephen Kenny’s side who had to weather an early storm before David McMillan headed them in front in the 27^th minute.

Bohs’ cause suffered a blow at the start of the second half when Anto Murphy was sent-off for a second bookable offence and that allowed Dundalk to go on to claim a rather flattering victory with substitutes Jake Kelly and Darren Meenan getting on the scoresheet in the closing stages.

Next up for the Lilywhites is the visit of Sligo Rovers to Oriel Park on Friday night, a game which will be televised live on RTÉ Two from 7.35pm.

Dundalk held by Warrenpoint in pre-season opener

Dundalk’s Premier Division title on display at Milltown last night

Dundalk FC began their pre-season campaign with a 1-1 draw away to Warrenpoint Town at Milltown last night.

The home side hit the front in the third minute when Darren Forsyth seized on an error to break through on goal and fire past debutant goalkeeper Gary Rogers.

Dundalk improved after that early setback with Jake Kelly having a shot blocked on the line before Warrenpoint goalkeeper Martin Marron denied another two Lilywhite new boys, Ronan Finn and Paddy Barrett.

That kept the Northern Irish side ahead at the break but the equaliser finally arrived on 67 minutes when Ciaran O’Connor – recently returned from a loan spell at Warrenpoint – turned in a delivery from Barrett.

O’Connor, whose brother Michael also featured on the night, was unlucky not to have a penalty late on as Finn and Brian Gartland also went close.

Dundalk: Rogers; Barrett, Gartland (Reilly), Boyle (Grimes), Massey; Mountney (M O’Connor), Finn, Shields, O’Donnell (Poynton), Kelly (C O’Connor); Byrne.

Dundalk complete signing of Jake Kelly from Bray

Jake Kelly

Dundalk FC have announced the capture of former Bray Wanderers player Jake Kelly.

The 24-year-old becomes Stephen Kenny’s fourth new signing of the close season following the captures of Gary Rogers from Sligo Rovers, Paddy Barrett from Galway FC and Shane Grimes from Drogheda Utd.

The winger began his career at the Seagulls back in August 2008 and scored his first goal for the club in the FAI Cup against Dundalk in a 3-1 win at Oriel Park.

He became a crucial member of the Bray squad as they battled relegation but departed the Carlisle Grounds ahead of the 2012 season where he moved on to St. Patrick’s Athletic. At Inchicore he helped the side to the FAI Cup final in his first year and played a part in the title winning squad of 2013 as they pipped the Lilywhites to the crown. He returned to County Wicklow for one more season and was vital as they staved off the drop earlier this year.

Speaking to dundalkfc.com after signing on at the club, the 24 year-old was thrilled at joining the champions and is looking forward to plying his trade in County Louth next season.

“I am absolutely delighted to have signed. It’s great to have it sorted. Stephen sold the club to me when I met him a few weeks ago and I am really excited to be part of it. They’re the champions and I was in talks with a few other clubs but I really wanted to come here after talking to Stephen and I’m glad to have it all done.

“They played the best football in the league last year and they were worthy champions. They were great to watch last year and that was a big factor in my decision to come here. The style of play is something that I want to be part of and I really can’t wait to get going now. I know everyone says that but I really can’t wait for pre-season to start and get into it.”

Dundalk goalkeeper Cherrie picked to appear in O’Neill fundraising calendar

Dundalk goalkeeper Peter Cherrie will be amongst a number of Airtricity League players taking part in a photoshoot at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow for a fundraising calendar in aid of Drogheda’s Gary O’Neill, who was recently diagnosed with testicular cancer.

Amongst the other League of Ireland players to take part are Bohemians’ Luke Byrne, Bray Wanderers’ Daire Doyle, Cork City’s Gearóid Morrissey, Derry City’s Barry Molloy, Drogheda United’s Paul O’Conor, Limerick’s Stephen Folan, St Patrick’s Athletic’s Jake Kelly, Shamrock Rovers’ James Chambers, Shelbourne’s Graham Gartland, Sligo Rovers’ Raffaele Cretaro and UCD’s Michael Leahy.

The fundraiser is being organised by the PFAI.

Dundalk famously made a Calendar Girls-themed calendar back in 2004, featuring semi-naked players. Cherrie’s shoot is unlikely to earn him the same publicity that then goalkeeper Chris Bennion got but it is for an equally good cause.