Premier Div: UCD 1 - 0 Bohemians

A single goal, scored by Dean Clarke in the ninth minute, was enough for UCD to claim the points against Bohemians at Belfield on Tuesday night, despite a rousing finale from the Gypsies in which Kevin Devaney had a goal disallowed and midfielder Keith Buckley was sent off.

There was a time, not long ago, when UCD versus Bohemians was a clash of minnows against giants but today they represent teams of similarly youthful complexion. Bohemians, with a few older heads adding valuable experience, stood eight points higher in the rankings before their meeting with the Students, but it was UCD who stole an early advantage on the night.

With just nine minutes played David McMillan slid a perfect ball through for Dean Clarke who shot low across Dean Delany and found the far corner of the Bohemians net. 

UCD remained the more dangerous team as the game progressed with Bohemians playing just three at the back and generally failing to provide any meaningful service to their front two of Dwayne Wilson and ex-UCD boy Chris Lyons.

Hugh Douglas force Delany in to a near post save just two minutes after the opening goal. Robbie Benson nearly released McMillan on 17 minutes and McMillan played Cillian Morrison through with a superb pass, only for Bohs defender Luke Byrne to recover and execute a saving tackle two minutes later.

Bohs only had Chris Lyons effort, that was saved by keeper Conor O’Donnell, to show for their first half hour of work and manager Aaron Callaghan changed things around shortly before the break bringing Owen Heary back into defence and shifting Dave Mulcahy up into midfield.

A late flurry of activity hinted at a more promising second period for the visitors and within a minute of the restart Mulcahy had drawn an excellent save from O’Donnell in the UCD goal. But the Students responded immediately with a run up the left from Clarke that ended with a well hit shot to the near post that Delany did well to stop at full stretch.

The next twenty minutes of the game played out in midfield with each sliver of advantage that was won being dealt with by two back lines that were coping well with whatever was thrown at them.

But on 67 minutes Chris Lyons found room to shoot and only a fine block from full back Douglas protected the Students lead. This signalled a period of dominance for Bohemians and moments later they came closer still when Andy Mulligan brought a terrific save out of O’Donnell and then Tomas Boyle did incredibly well to stop Lyons’ follow up shot on the goal-line.

Bohs continued to press for an equaliser but were frustrated at every turn. They even had the ball in the net when Kevin Devaney turned in Mulligan’s cross with two minutes remaining, but the linesman’s flag compounded the agony for the away fans.

Before the ninety minutes were played Keith Buckley said something untoward and received a straight red from referee Padraigh Sutton, and Martin Russell’s men safely negotiated the final four minutes of added time.

UCD: Conor O’Donnell; Hugh Douglas, David O’Connor, Tomas Boyle, Gareth Matthews; Cillian Morrison (James Kavanagh 73), Gary Burke, Robbie Creevy, Robbie Benson, Dean Clarke (Samir Belhout 77); David McMillan (Dinny Corcoran 86).
Subs not used: Mark McGinley, Barry McCabe, Tyrone McNelis, Craig Walsh.

Booked: Boyle (72).

Bohemians: Dean Delany; Roberto Lopes, Dave Mulcahy, Luke Byrne; Owen Heary, Derek Pender, Keith Buckley, Ryan McEvoy (Karl Moore 84), Andy Mulligan; Dwayne Wilson (Dave Scully 59), Chris Lyons (Kevin Devaney 73).
Subs not used: Greg Murray, Ciaran Nangle, Sane Fitzgerald, Stephen Traynor.

Booked: McEvoy (36), Heary (63), Lopes (86), L Byrne (90+3).
Sent Off: Buckley (89).

Referee: Padraigh Sutton.

Attendance: 468.

Extratime Man of the Match: Tomas Boyle (UCD).