Dundalk see off Drogheda to clinch Malone Cup

Dundalk FC clinched the Malone Cup for only the third time since it was introduced in 1997 when they beat neighbours Drogheda Utd 2-0 at Oriel Park last night.

The annual pre-season game between the Co Louth rivals was largely a one-sided affair with the Lilywhites dictating things. That said, the best chance of a scoreless first half arguably fell the Boynesiders’ way after just two minutes when Tiarnan Mulvenna was picked out on the edge of the six yard box but the Muirhevnamor man failed to get the power on his shot to really trouble Gary Rogers.

Stephen Kenny’s side upped the ante in the second half and finally made a breakthrough just after the hour mark when Andy Boyle headed home a Darren Meenan corner.

Local youngster Ciaran O’Connor then made sure of the victory five minutes from time when he bundled home from close range with Chris Shields collecting the trophy afterwards from Caoimhe Malone and Killian Moran.

Dundalk aiming for rare Malone Cup win against neighbours Drogheda Utd

Dundalk will be hoping to win the Jim Malone Cup for only the third time in their history when they host neighbours Drogheda Utd at Oriel Park at 7.45pm tonight.

Since the competition was first played in October 1997, the Lilywhites have only won it twice – a 3-0 victory at United Park in August 2000 and a 2-1 victory on home soil in February 2010.

With no game played in 2011, it means that Drogheda have won the last three meetings between the sides in the competition.

Last year they won 5-4 on penalties for the second successive year after a 1-1 draw at United Park. Gavin Brennan had given the Boynesiders a first-half lead but a stoppage time header from Pat Hoban took the game to penalties only for Daryl Horgan to be denied by goalkeeper Michael Schlingermann in the shoot-out.

Incredibly, it was the eighth time that Dundalk had lost the Malone Cup on penalties.

Last season in the league Drogheda Utd ran out 4-1 winners against Dundalk on the opening day of the season at United Park only to be humbled 7-0 at Oriel Park in May. The sides then played out a 1-1 draw in Drogheda towards the end of the season.

Horgan, who has yet to feature in pre-season, could make a return to action from the bench tonight although Dane Massey is a doubt having suffered a hand injury last week. That will mean that Muirhevnamor man Shane Grimes should start against his former club, whom he captained last season.

Dundalk suffer penalty heartbreak yet again in Malone Cup

Paddy Malone, son of the late Jim Malone, presents the Malone Cup to Drogheda after the game, alongside his nephew Cillian Moran

For the eighth time since the competition’s inception in 1997, Dundalk lost out to neighbours Drogheda United in the Jim Malone Cup on penalties.

Just like last year, the Boynesiders retained the competition after winning on spot kicks following a draw.

Last night’s match at United Park finished 1-1, before Drogheda went on to win 5-4 on penalties.

Gavin Brennan had given the home side the lead with a low drive past Peter Cherrie in the 21st minute. Despite plenty of pressure from Dundalk throughout, it looked like that would be enough to secure the win for the Drogs before Daryl Horgan popped up with a header in the 92nd minute to send the game to penalties.

In the end it was Michael Schlingerman who was the hero as he saved Daryl Horgan’s spot kick to ensure Dundalk have only won the competition twice in their history.

The two sides will meet again next month in the Airtricity Premier Division opener, also at United Park.

Dundalk: Peter Cherrie, Sean Gannon (Simon Kelly 73), Dane Massey, Mark Rossiter, Brian Gartland, Chris Shields (Ruaidhri Higgins 61), Stephen O’Donnell, John Mountney (Richie Towell  61), Darren Meenan, Kurtis Byrne (Patrick Hoban 61), David McMillan (Marc Griffin 73)

Dundalk prepare to take on Drogheda in the Malone Cup tonight

Dundalk will continue their pre-season preparations tonight when they take on neighbours Drogheda United in the annual Jim Malone Cup at United Park.

The pre-season fixture will whet the appetite for the two sides ahead of their Airtricity League Premier Division opener at the same venue in four weeks time.

After a 10 day break, which included a training camp in Enfield, Dundalk will be looking forward to their third pre-season outing following a 4-1 defeat to Barnsley and a 2-0 win over Wexford Youths.

Last season Drogheda won on penalties after a 0-0 draw with Dundalk hoping to win only their third Malone Cup and their first since 2010.

Stephen O’Donnell and Brian Gartland are likely to return to the side for tonight’s game, which has a 7.45pm kick-off.

Meanwhile, Dundalk will travel west on Tuesday night to take on the newly-formed Galway FC, managed by former Lilywhites player Tommy Dunne.

Bus organised for Dundalk fans travelling to Malone Cup clash with Drogheda on Friday

Dundalk FC take on neighbours Drogheda United in United Park next Friday in the annual Jim Malone Cup.

The match will whet the appetite for the two sides’ league opener a month later and give fans of Stephen Kenny’s side another chance to see some of their new signings in action.

Tony Curtis has organised a bus to the game. It leaves the Magnet at 6.45pm and costs €10.

Bookings can be made at 087-2900644 with admission to the game €10 for adults and concessions are €7.

Date set for Malone Cup

This year’s Jim Malone Cup match between Dundalk FC and Drogheda Utd has been confirmed for United Park on Friday February 7^th at 7.45pm.

The game will act as a curtain raiser to the two Louth clubs’ Premier Division season opener four weeks later.

Dundalk’s first outing of the New Year will be at home to Wexford Youths on Tuesday January 28^th. Following the Malone Cup, they will also take on a selection of local players, managed by Dermot McKeely and Colm McConville, in a Tommy McConville tribute match on Friday February 14^th.

All proceeds raised from that game will go towards the North Louth Hospice.