UCD Waves edge Raheny United in Dublin Derby
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Raheny United 2 – 3 UCD Waves
UCD Waves took all three points in an action packed Dublin derby as Raheny United lost out by the odd goal in five. A wonder strike from Irish International Aine O’Gorman was cancelled out by Rebecca Creagh before Orlagh Nolan restored the Students lead. A controversial own goal from Niamh Reid Burke extended UCD’s lead before Creagh pulled one back to create an exciting finale. The Pandas were forced to compete with 10 players for most of the second half after Pearl Slattery was sent off for dissent.
Raheny United started the game the liveliest. Having made a good run from midfield, Katie McCabe was fouled on the right edge of the box. From the resulting free Niamh Barnes failed to capitalise after Monica McGuirk spilled the ball.
The home side continued to manufacture half chances but maintained the pressure on the UCD rear-guard. Despite the pressure, it was the visitors who took the lead on 17 minutes. Orlagh Nolan passed the ball to the Aine O’Gorman and from outside the box her strike sailed into the top corner of the Raheny goal. (Watch O’Gorman’s goal here)
The goal completely altered the momentum of the game and UCD increased the tempo and minutes later Julie-Ann Russell hit a cracking free kick off the Raheny crossbar while Jetta Berrill dragged her effort wide of the post.
In the 23rd minute Katie McCabe forced a corner for Raheny and from the resulting corner Raheny grabbed an equaliser. After a scramble in the box Rebecca Creagh poked the ball home.
Raheny dynamo Katie McCabe was shown a yellow card eight minute before half time and from resulting free kick Ainé Ó Gorman forced Raheny keeper Reid Bourke into a great save.
Moments later UCD regained the lead. Orlagh Nolan met an Ó Gorman corner to send the Waves into a 2-1 lead. Nolan was completely unmarked in the box and Pandas manager McQuillan will be unhappy with the space afforded to the Waves attacker.
Raheny started the second half brightly. Siobhan Killeen won a free kick on the left wing but the home side failed to capitalise and the ball was cleared by UCD defence.
In the 57th minute UCD extended their lead after an Ainé Ó Gorman corner held up in the breeze and Raheny keeper bundled the ball into her own net under presser from a UCD player. Despite the protests from the Raheny players, the referee deemed there to be no foul and the goal stood.
Moments after the restart the game went from back to worse for Raheny after centre-back Pearl Slattery received a straight red card after an exchange of words with the match official.
Despite being down to 10 players Raheny continued to push for a way back into the match and continued to try create efforts on goal. With 13 minutes to go, they were awarded a spot kick after winger Siobhan Killeen was adjudged to have being found by a Waves defender. Rebecca Creagh slotted home for her and Raheny’s second.
Despite pushing for an equaliser, the Pandas failed to create many clear cut opportunities as the UCD defence remained solid. Katie McCabe’s solo run held promise but the Irish International could not get any power into the strike.
UCD Waves move onto 32 points with Raheny five points behind with two games in hand. Wexford Youths, who didn’t play this weekend, are on 37 having played a game more than Raheny and one less than UCD.
In Pictures – A series of photos from the game by Peter Fitzpatrick
About Aaron Clarke
Aaron is a Dublin based reporter who joined Extratime.ie in February of 2015 as a Women's National League reporter. Two months later he began covering League of Ireland football and most weekends he can be … View Full Profile