Kells travelled to Dundalk to face the 3rd best team in the Premier Division last season minus captain and vice-captain through injury with full expectations of the task ahead but left feeling aggrieved that they hadn’t brought at least a point back with them at the end.

Kells started the game under a bit of pressure with Quay moving the ball well but Kells excellent discipline and organisation in their shape meant that Quay were reduced to long balls over the top and pot shots from distance.

Kells grew into the game as the half went on seeing a lot more of the ball and creating opportunities and it was Lewis O’Donnell playing his 3rd season in Senior football and only turning 19 this year who found space at the back post to slot home and give Kells the lead and their 1st Premier Division goal in nearly 2 decades.

Half-time 0-1

The torrential rain the accompanied the whistle for the 2nd half didn’t dampen spirits but the award and dispatching of a very soft penalty within 60 seconds hit hard.

Kells conceded a 2nd shortly after from a corner and needed to regroup and go again and that’s exactly what they did, pushing Quay back and creating chances with the Quay keeper producing a couple of saves.

17 year old Jack Canavan made his Premier Division debut replacing Bradley Caffery with Conor Kirwan, Ryan Farnham and Ciaran Keating joining him as Kells pushed for the equaliser their play deserve but were undone at the death by a counter attack to put a slightly flattering look on the scoreline.

Harsh lessons for a well drilled young Kells side but plenty for coach Wes Jordan and his team to work on over the next 2 weeks before they play again.

1. Johnny Lynch
2. Brandon Browne
3. Thomas Carry
4. Oisin Smith
5. Carl Jordan
6. Tony Smith
7. Kuba Bidzinski
8. Lewis O’Donnell ⚽️
9. Lar Ivers
10. Bradley Caffery
11. Jack O’Keeffe

12. Conor Kirwan 🔄 Lewis O’Donnell
13. Jack Canavan 🔄 Bradley Caffery
14. Ryan Farnham 🔄 Kuba Bidzinski
15. Ciaran Keating 🔄 Jack O’Keeffe