McDonnell signs for Shelbourne

Stephen McDonnell

Local footballer Stephen McDonnell last night signed a contract with Shelbourne for next season.

The former Quay Celtic and Glasgow Celtic midfielder has played for Dundalk FC for since March 2010 and will be best remembered by Lilywhites’ supporters for scoring a crucial late equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Waterford United in the first leg of the 2012 promotion/relegation play-off.

McDonnell’s role was limited with Dundalk this season as he made just 11 league appearances and the 21-year-old will be hoping to reignite his career with a move to Tolka Park.

Commenting on his Twitter page, McDonnell said he was “delighted” to have signed with Shelbourne and said he was targeting an instant return to the Premier Division following their relegation last season.

He also thanked Dundalk FC for the last four years.

Limerick come from two down to derail Dundalk’s title hopes

Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny

Dundalk’s bid to force their way into the Airtricity League title race suffered a major setback at Thomond Park last night as they squandered a two goal lead at the break to lose 3-2 to Limerick FC.

The Lilywhites appeared to be cruising when Kurtis Byrne’s ninth minute strike was followed up with a second from Dane Massey seven minutes before half-time.

However, Limerick fought their way back into the game on 55 minutes when Shane Tracy pulled a goal back from a free kick before substitute Rory Gaffney levelled matters with his first touch on 74 minutes.

Craig Curran then struck a dramatic 81^st minute winner to shock Stephen Kenny’s side – leaving them with a must-win visit to the Brandywell next week to face Derry City.

Limerick FC: Barry Ryan; Shaun Kelly, Robbie Williams, Stephen Folan, Shane Tracy; Danny Galbraith, Joe Gamble (Rory Gaffney, 73), David O’Leary, Axel Bossekota; Darragh Rainsford; Craig Curran.

Subs not used: Shane Cusack (GK), Val Feeney, James McGrath, Barry Sheedy, Shane Costelloe, Brian O’Callaghan.

Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; John Sullivan, Andy Boyle, Mark Rossiter (Stephen McDonnell, 27), Dane Massey; Richie Towell, Chris Shields, John Mountney (Tiarnan Mulvenna, 78); Darren Meenan, Vinny Faherty, Kurtis Byrne (John Dillon, 62).

Subs not used: Aaron Shanahan (GK), Sami Osobi, John McKeown, Eoghan Osborne.

Referee: Tom Connolly (Dublin).

Hoban’s strike sees Dundalk claim county honours

In last night’s Airtricity League tie between Drogheda United and Dundalk, the Lilywhites had what looked a perfectly good goal disallowed. Setanta commentators confirmed that the officials, led by referee Alan Kelly, had decided the ball went out of play. This photo by Sportsfile’s Paul Mohan clearly shows that Pat Hoban kept the ball in play.

Patrick Hoban’s 74^th minute strike proved decisive as 10 men Dundalk overcame local rivals Drogheda United in the Louth derby at Hunky Dorys Park last night to move within six points of leaders St Patrick’s Athletic ahead of their visit to Oriel Park on Friday.

The win was no more than Stephen Kenny’s side deserved after Hoban had earlier had a goal controversially chalked off when officials deemed that the ball had gone out of play. A picture from Sportsfile clearly showed, however, that the linesman had got it wrong but thankfully it mattered little in the end with Hoban finishing after being put through on goal following a fine run by Stephen McDonnell and neat work from substitute Tiarnan Mulvenna.

Dundalk did end up finishing the game with 10 men when John Mountney picked up a second yellow late on for what referee Alan Kelly deemed to be a dive but thankfully the Lilywhites held out comfortably to claim a morale boosting win.

McDonnell came up against a young Super Mario!

Mario Goetze in action against Ireland U-16s in Kerry in 2008

Stephen McDonnell (left) looks on as his team-mates contest a header against Germany in Kerry in 2008

Mario Goetze is a man making headlines at the minute for a variety of reasons.

Not only has the German midfielder just helped his Borussia Dortmund team-mates to beat Real Madrid 4-1 in a Champions League semi-final but he has also secured himself a £31.5m transfer to Bayern Munich for next season.

Did you know though that the talented midfielder once went toe-to-toe with Dundalk midfielder Stephen McDonnell?

The former Quay Celtic man, who at the time was playing for Celtic, was a second half substitute for Ireland U-16s in a match against a German side which featured Goetze in Listowel, Co Kerry in April 2008.

Germany won the match – which also featured ex-Lilywhite Michael Rafter – 1-0 with Goetze going on to represent his country at senior level in the European Championships last summer.

McDonnell, who was vice-captain of Dundalk FC last season, continues to ply his trade for his hometown club and will be hoping to feature for Stephen Kenny’s side in Friday night’s home clash with Cork City, which will be shown live on RTÉ Two at 7.35pm.