U19 Elite - Sligo Rovers 1 - 4 UCD

UCD returned to winning ways on Saturday afternoon with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over strugglers Sligo Rovers. UCD had suffered their first defeat of the season last weekend at home to Shamrock Rovers while Sligo Rovers had picked up their first win in four games away to Drogheda United.

UCD were getting the majority of the chances with Colm Crowe creating the first opportunity with a magical run through the Rovers defence after fourteen minutes. He laid the ball off for Dylan Kavanagh but he put his shot just wide of the Rovers goal. Eight minutes later UCD went in front when Jamie McGrath struck the ball home from just inside the Rovers area. Four minutes later striker Adam Whelan hammered a shot back off the Sligo Rovers crossbar.

Sligo Rovers first chance came just before half time when Cian Brennan’s corner was headed just wide by Ruairi Keating. Three minutes later Gary Armstrong headed just wide of the target from a Jordan Loftus cross from the left hand side.

The early stages of the second half were full of action with UCD doubling their lead two minutes in following a defensive error from Stephen Walsh which fell to Pearse Traynor who made no mistake with his effort. In the 49^th minute the Students increased their lead further when Colm Crowe’s shot went past Adam Murphy in the Sligo Rovers goal and the ball slowly crept towards the line only for Rovers defender Michael Casey’s attempted clearance to go in to his own net.

In the 67^th minute UCD goalkeeper made a save from a Ross Taheny header following another perfect cross from Jordan Loftus. In the 72^nd minute UCD handed Sligo Rovers further punishment when a corner was cleared by the Sligo Rovers defence which fell to the impressive Colm Crowe whose first time volley gave Murphy no chance in the Sligo Rovers goal. Sligo Rovers got a consolation goal in the 74^th minute when Colm Nevin beautifully struck a free kick around the UCD wall into the top corner of the net.

Next up for Sligo Rovers is a trip to Richmond Park to face St. Patrick’s Athletic while UCD are also away to bottom side Drogheda United.

Sligo Rovers: Adam Murphy, Brian Glennon (Keelan Kennoy, 67^th min), Regan Donnellan, Stephen Walsh, Michael Casey, Gary Boylan, Gary Armstrong (Kyle Harrigan, 72^nd min), Colm Nevin, Ruairi Keating (Ross Taheny, 49^th min), Cian Brennan, Jordan Loftus.

Subs not used: Darren Kilcawley, Adam Chambers, Ryan McManus, Jack Selby.

UCD: Andy Murphy, Liam Traynor, Sean Coyne, Dan Tobin, Adam Harney, Gary Sloggett, Pearse Traynor (Thomas Carlisle, 65^th min), Colm Creane, Adam Whelan (Ben Green, 76^th min), Jamie McGrath (Robin Doyle, 76^th min), Dylan Kavanagh.

Subs not used: Dean Hurley, Liam O’Farrell, Adam Zayed, Sean Byrne.