Leeds United fine-tuned their pre-season preparations with a comprehensive 6-1 win over a hardworking, but ultimately outclassed Dublin City selection at Tolka Park on Friday evening. Four goals in the opening half put David O'Leary's Champions League semi-finalists in control, with Man of the Match Robbie Keane hitting two, Lee Bowyer getting one, before Ian Harte grabbed the fourth a minute before the break.
There was a welcome return to midfield for Republic of Ireland international Stephen McPhail, and with Keane and Mark Viduka looking sharp up-front, Leeds soon got into stride. However, despite numerous attempts on Paul Flood's goal, the breakthrough didn't arrive until the 26th minute, when Keane calmly slotted home from close range following a delightful through-ball from Viduka.
Minutes later Nigel Martyn denied Vinny Arkins a certain goal when he saved well from point blank range, before Bowyer added United's second in the 33rd minute, sidefooting home a Gary Kelly cross from two yards. Keane's sharpness, willingness to try the unexpected and his unselfish running were a feature of the game, while Viduka showed typical strength and awareness to suggest the pair will build on their impressive first season together.
Indeed, the Tallaght man added his second on 41 minutes with an opportunist overhead kick from six yards, and Harte completed the first half scoring with a far post header from Bowyer's pinpoint cross from the right just before the whistle. Things were tighter after the break despite a number of changes on both sides, but the visitors grabbed their fifth five minutes in when Clive Delaney, who impressed at centre-half throughout, handled a goalbound Bowyer pile driver. Keane made no mistake from the resulting spot-kick to claim his hat-trick in front of an ecstatic 8,000 strong crowd.
Keane netted his fourth of an inspired evening in the 76th minute when a rebound found its way to his feet at the edge of the box, and his drive gave substitute 'keeper Michael Dempsey no chance in the Dublin goal. Despite Leeds' six-goal haul, the home side did manage to score the goal of the game, when substitute Richie Foran struck from 22 yards two minutes later to the delight of the Dublin crowd.
Westlife star and former Leeds trainee Nick Byrne made a late appearance on the right wing for Dublin, who were best served by Delaney, Tony O'Connor, Ciaran Martyn, Graham Doyle and Foran on what was a testing night for the League of Ireland men.
Filed by Shane Murray
