Kelly earns LyIT draw after instant fightback against DkIT

Less than a minute after falling behind to Carlton Ubaezuonu’s goal, Ciaran Kelly headed home an equaliser to earn Letterkenny Institute of Technology a share of the spoils against Dundalk IT.

Letterkenny Institute of Technology 1 Dundalk Institute of Technology 1

By Chris McNulty at LyIT. Pictures by Joe Boland, North West News Pix

An edgy contest at the Port Road sprung to life when Ubaezuonu headed past Jason McCallion at one end in the 15th minute and just 40 seconds later LyIT were level.

Shane Byrne’s team broke, won a corner, from which Darragh Black’s floated kick was nodded past Dylan Sweeney by Letterkenny Rovers defender Kelly.

It was the perfect response by LyIT, who will feel they shout have won this one.

A week after dumping Carlow IT out of the CFAI Cup, it was back to League action for LyIT and they were out of the blocks sharp with Black’s volley, after Adrian Delap knocked on a Gareth Doherty cross, touched onto the post by Sweeney.

Liam Walsh, who began well on the left flank, forced Sweeney into action soon after but DkIT struck against the run of play.

Ubaezuonu rose highest to get on the end of a header into the area and, with LyIT ‘keeper Jason McCallion off his line having come to collect, the striker – who spent this season on loan at Galway United from Airtricity League champions Dundalk – saw his looping header fly into the LyIT net.

Jason McCallion is beaten by Carlton Ubaezuonus header

Ubaezuonu went close to restoring the lead before half time, but McCallion was alert to the danger.

LyIT were forced into a change midway through the first half with midfielder Connor Gormley forced off with a knee injury.

Five minutes into the second half, LyIT could have hit the front when Delap found himself one-on-one with Sweeney. Delap took a touch too many and was too close to the ‘keeper by the time he opted to have a go. Adam Duffy’s follow-up was kept out by Sweeney.

Soon after, Pat Loughrey got on the end of a deep Doherty cross but, rather than direct the ball back across goal, the left-back elected to go for goal, only to head wide.

Ciaran Kelly in action for LyIT against DkIT

DkIT were always dangerous on the break and Ryan Duffy scampered away only for Kelly to step in with a timely challenge and Kelly was alert to the pace of Uaezuonu.

Duffy headed wide from 12 yards and LyIT had one last chance, but Duffy was denied by a strong save from Sweeney.

LyIT are back in action next week at home to North West Regional College.

Letterkenny Institute of Technology: Jason McCallion; Gareth Doherty, Ciaran Kelly, Keelan McGill, Pat Loughrey; Adrian Delap, Connor Gormley (Adam Duffy 26), Stephen Doherty, Liam Walsh; Sean McBride (Liam Doherty 86), Darragh Black.

Dundalk Institute of Technology: Dylan Sweeney; Guauthier Foko, Emmett Hughes, Sam Kelly, James Carroll; Ryan Duffy, Neil Kerr, Tristan Knowles, Patryk Porzega (Connor Tully 82); Carlton Ubaezuonu, Dom Mahon.

Referee: Packie Coll.