Dundalk Young Irelands Power Past John Mitchels to Reach Last Four

DKIT Sport JFC Quarter-Final

At Páirc Séamus Mhic hEochaidh, Haggardstown

Dundalk Young Irelands 3-15 John Mitchels 1-10

Dundalk Young Irelands continued their impressive 2026 campaign with a commanding victory over John Mitchels in the DKIT Sport Junior Championship quarter-final at Páirc Séamus Mhic hEochaidh, Haggardstown.

Having already topped their group with three wins, Young Irelands carried that momentum into the knockout stages and ultimately proved too strong for a John Mitchels side who were reduced to 14 men before half-time.

Cian O’Donoghue (Dundalk YI) evades the challenge of Jamie Durnin (John Mitchels)

John Mitchels opened the scoring through Gareth Kane, but it was Young Irelands who struck the game’s first major blow when Dean Maguire found the net to give DYI an early lead in a cagey opening 10 minutes.

Arthur Sands responded with a point for Mitchels before Ruairi Kelly began to make his mark on proceedings. Kelly added a point before finding the back of the net to stretch the Young Irelands advantage.

Andrew Bingham and Kane replied for Mitchels, but Young Irelands finished the half strongly. Trevor Matthews converted a two-pointer for the Ballybailie side, only for Michael O’Shea to answer with a two-point score for DYI.

Dean Maguire, Kelly and Derek Maguire all added points as Young Irelands began to pull away. Kelly was particularly influential, adding another score before Derek Maguire followed suit.

Gareth Kane (John Mitchels) is pressured by Cian O’Donoghue (Dundalk Young Irelands)

The turning point arrived on 31 minutes when John Mitchels were reduced to 14 men. Kane, who had already been cautioned, received a black card for a late challenge which resulted in an automatic red card.

Half Time: Dundalk Young Irelands 2-8 John Mitchels 0-6

John Gallagher opened the second-half scoring for Mitchels, but DYI immediately responded through Dean Maguire. Gallagher added another point before Kelly replied once again.

Mitchels were handed an opportunity to get back into the contest when Arthur Sands was fouled inside the penalty area. John Gallagher stepped up, but Fergal Sheeky produced an excellent save to deny the penalty.

Tadhg Hoey and James Prendergast added further points for DYI, while Gallagher continued to carry the scoring responsibility for Mitchels, including a two-point free.

Young Irelands continued to control the contest and produced the game’s decisive third goal when Sean Murphy found the net in the closing stages.

Liam McStravick (Dundalk Young Irelands) tackles Gareth Kane (John Mitchels)

Derek Maguire added another point before John Mitchels finally found their first goal of the afternoon through Gallagher. However, it was little more than a consolation as Young Irelands remained comfortable and finished with four unanswered points to secure a comprehensive victory.

The Young Irelands inside forward line of Dean Maguire, Ruairi Kelly and Derek Maguire combined for a total of 2-10 of the 3-15 scored.

The result sees Dundalk Young Irelands maintain their unbeaten Championship run and book their place in the semi-finals, where they will face Westerns.

Full Time: Dundalk Young Irelands 3-15 John Mitchels 1-10

DKIT Sport JFC Semi-Final Draw

Naomh Fionnbarra v St Nicholas

Dundalk Young Irelands v Westerns

Man of the Match – Ruairi Kelly (Dundalk Young Irelands)

Dundalk Young Irelands team: Fergal Sheeky; Peter McCourt, Ciaran Murray, Conn O’Donoghue; Cian O’Donoghue, Brendan Prendergast, Tadhg Hoey (0-2, 1tp); James Prendergast (0-1), Michael O’Shea (0-2, 1tp); Liam McStravick, Jordan O’Donoghue, Sean Murphy (1-0); Dean Maguire (1-2), Ruairi Kelly (1-4), Derek Maguire (0-4).

Subs: Lee O’Donoghue for Peter McCourt 41 mins, Jack Watters for Liam McStravick 51 mins, Evan McArdle for Cian O’Donoghue 56 mins, Sean Hoey for Dean Maguire 58 mins.

John Mitchels team: David Anderson; John Bingham, Eoghan McEneaney, Aaron Kane; Cole Leavy, Ruairi McCann, Jake Gillespie; Gareth Kane (0-2), Trevor Matthews (0-2, 1tp); Andrew Bingham (0-1), Arthur Sands (0-1), Jamie Durnin; John Gallagher (1-4, 1tpf, 1f), Aaron Keely, Tristan Knowles.

Subs: Stephen Campbell for Aaron Kane half-time, James Sands for Jamie Durnin 36 mins, Adam Finnegan for Aaron Keely 45 mins, Stephen Bingham for Andrew Bingham 56 mins.

Referee – Bryan Smith (O’Raghallaighs)

Photos – Ciaran Culligan

James Prendergast (Dundalk YI), Andrew Bingham (John Mitchels), Trevor Matthews (John Mitchels) and Michael O’Shea (Dundalk Young Irelands)