League Report: UCD 1 - 1 Limerick

UCD had victory snatched from them in the final seconds of an exciting game with Limerick at the UCD Bowl in the SSE Airtricity League.

A second half opener from Tomas Boyle appeared to have won the game for the Students before a last minute Jason Hughes strike gave Limerick a precious point

After an opening eight minutes fought out in midfield, it was the Students who inherited the game’s first chance.

A cross from Michael Barker after some good work from Cillian Morrison fed him the ball, was met by Dean Clarke. His shot was expertly batted away by Barry Ryan.

It was again Clarke who came close nine minutes later. After a foul on Morrison by Folan which rendered a yellow for the Limerick defender, Chris Mulhall stood over the free kick.

He promptly took aim and swung the ball goal wards. After a goal last week Clarke was full of confidence and he flicked the ball on. It was destined for the net before the post got in the way to save the Limerick blushes.

The game grew dull following that chance and the most telling part of that a flick at the edge of the box by Rory Gaffney that was intercepted was the best opportunity for either side during that period.

In the thirty fifth minute though, a chance emerged from the mediocrity. Shane Tracy, after cutting in from the right, unleashed a thunderbolt of a strike which glazed the cross bar on the way over.

Just on the stroke of halftime, Limerick may have taken an undeserved lead. Skipper Shane Duggan charged at the Students defence before scuffing an effort just wide of Conor O’Donnell’s unworked post.

The small crowd was sprung into life six minutes into the second half. Morrison, who has put himself about well in the first period latched onto the ball at the edge of the area before cannoning a high drive just over the helpless Ryan’s crossbar.

On 55 minutes the Students unearthed an opener from the training ground. After the concession by Limerick of a free kick just inside their own half Benson stepped up.

The skipper confidently stepped up to the plate, swinging in a delightful cross that Boyle rose highest to flick the ball past Ryan into bottom corner to open the scoring.

Just moments after the goal, the visitors could well have found themselves level. Craig Curran had only just been brought on and with his first touch he forced a fine low save from O’Donnell.

On the hour mark, Limerick should have been level. Tracy stood over a corner on the left hand side, he fizzed it in and Curran again had the opportunity but his radar was off and it dipped wide.

With sixteen minutes remaining, UCD could well have wrapped it up with a second. Mulhall broke down the left and floated a ball across goal for Benson but his header was wide of Ryan’s post.

As Limerick pushed and the final ten minutes approached. UCD caught them on the break. With a four on three overlap, Mulhall worked the ball to the edge of the area.

He fed the ball into the impressive Morrison before he laid the ball off to Benson, he lined up the shot before striking it straight at the grateful Ryan.

Little over six minutes remained when Limerick went the closest they had all game. After working the ball into the box, substitute Thomas McManus found the ball at his feet. He shot but O’Donnell was just about equal to it.

From the ensuing corner, Limerick put the ball in the net. Following an initial clearance, Duggan dipped the ball to the back post for Curran, he finished with aplomb but it was ruled out for offside.

In injury time, heartbreak for the Students and adulation for the visitors from the south. A ball in from the right, was partially cleared, but only as far as Hughes. He took one touch before smashing the ball past O’Donnell for a last gasp equaliser.


 

UCD: Conor O’Donnell; Michael Barker (Gareth Matthews 86), Hugh Douglas, Tomas Boyle, Mark Langtry; Robbie Benson, Robbie Creevy; Chris Mulhall, Dean Clarke, Ayman Ben Mohamad (Colm Crowe 60); Cillian Morrison (Dwayne Wilson 88).
Subs not used: Mark McGinley (gk), James Kavanagh, Gary Burke, Samir Belhout.

Booked: Crowe (90).

Limerick: Barry Ryan; Patrick Nzuzi, Samuel Oji, Stephen Folan, Robbie Williams; Prince Agyemang (Craig Curran 52); Shane Tracy, Jason Hughes, Shane Duggan, James McGrath (Thomas McManus 77); Rory Gaffney.
Subs not used: Shane Cusack (gk), Tony Whitehead, Barry Sheedy, Garbhan Coughlan, Darragh Rainsford.

Booked: Williams (11), Folan (17).

Referee: David McKeon

Attendance: 250 (estimate)

Extratime.ie Man of the match: Cillian Morrison (UCD)