Sporting Fingal 0 - 1 U.C.D.

(Photos by: Ed Scannell of Sportsimage.ie)

UCD continued their impressive start to the season after they beat Sporting Fingal one-nil in a closely contested Dublin derby at Morton Stadium.

The Students left it late but Ciaran Kilduff’s 80th minute header from John Reilly’s wicked in-swinging free kick gave Martin Russell’ side a deserved three points. Kilduff, who scored in last week’s victory over Limerick, picked up where he left to condemn Liam Buckley’s men to their first defeat of the season.

Sporting started the brighter of the two sides and on four minutes they had the first chance of the game. Robbie Doyle’s right wing cross found new signing Robert Bayly but the midfielder’s effort went harmlessly wide. On nine minutes, UCD midfielder Greg Bolger was guilty of being caught in possession by Shaun Williams. The ex Drogheda United played a neat through ball to Doyle but Andrew Boyle was on hand to clear the danger.

After a nervous opening ten minutes, the visitors began to get into the game and had their first chance moments later. Following a period of good possession by the UCD midfield Kilduff found himself clear through but the striker was unable to beat Quigley in the Sporting goal. Philip Byrne, who scored last week against Waterford United, was unable to repeat the act this time as his header from a deep swinging William’s free kick was the closest that the home side came to scoring as the Students were in the ascendancy.

Sporting quickly had two players in the referee’s notebook. Bayly was the first to be booked on 17 minutes closely followed by John Frost three minutes later. From the resulting free kick that Frost conceded UCD’s right back Sean Harding stepped up and was very unlucky to see his curling effort go inches over the top left hand corner of Quigley’s goal.

UCD’s passing continued to impress as Reilly, McMahon and Finn were always looking to drop short and get on the ball. Conan Byrne was proving to be the best outlet for the home side as he provided good width for Liam Buckley’s men. Sporting’s front two of Doyle and O’Neill were frustrated figures for the majority of the first half and didn’t get a lot of service to their feet and any crosses that came into the UCD box were comfortably dealt with by the central pairing of Leahy and Boyle.

The home side made a change at the break with Shane McFaul replacing Robert Bayly in the middle of the park. Straight from the re-start UCD picked up where they left off and on 51 minutes Harding advanced up the touchline as his deflected cross found its way to Kilduff in the middle. The striker however was tightly marked by Maher in the Sporting box and was unable to turn and keep his volley down.

Liam Buckley’s men refused to lie down however as they began to dictate the game. After a series of cleared free kicks and corners the home side had their first effort of the second half when Philip Byrne latched onto a poor clearance by UCD. Byrne was unfortunate to see his sweetly struck half volley fly past the right hand post of Quigley. Sporting again almost broke the deadlock in the 62 minute when Conan Byrne’s 25 yard bending free-kick went over the UCD goal as Barron watched by helplessly.

Sporting were enjoying their best period in the match and had their best chance of the game moments after. Shaun Williams’ wicked delivery from the right hand side nearly embarrassed Barron in the UCD goal. It was lucky for him that Harding was in the right place to clear off the line. From the resulting clearance the ball broke invitingly to Ross Gaynor’s but his drive went over the UCD crossbar.

On 75 minutes, the home side brought on Daniel Corcoran for Doyle as they went in search of a winning goal. UCD rallied after the period of prolonged Sporting pressure and should have gone in front when Kilduff failed to test Quigley from Reilly’s clever pass. The same two combined to break the deadlock moments later. In a game that was short of clear cut chances, it was fitting that the match would be decided by a set piece. Reilly’s curling free kick caused panic in the Sporting defence. UCD central defender Andrew Boyle climbed highest but when his effort cannoned off the cross bar Kilduff was on quickest to react and had the easy task of heading into the empty net. The striker picked up a yellow card for his celebration.

Sporting pushed for a late equaliser and nearly got it when Ross Gaynor’s stinging volley produced a fine save from Gannon in the UCD goal. Right at the death it looked like the substitute Corcoran would capitalise on some hesitant defending in the UCD box but Barron was quick off his line to smother the ball as UCD held onto the win and go joint top of the First Division.

Sporting Fingal manager Liam Buckley said “I’m very disappointed the result, the result was bad but the performance was worse and we certainty need to pick it up from that. It was unacceptable from my point”.

Sporting Fingal: Darren Quigley; Brian Gannon, Shaun Maher, Philip Byrne, John Frost; Conan Byrne, Shaun Williams, Robert  Bayly (Shane McFaul 45), Ross Gaynor; Gary O’Neill, Robbie Doyle (Dinny Corcoran 75).
Subs not used: James Hussey (gk), Alan Kirby, Colm James.

UCD: Ger Barron; Sean Harding, Mick Leahy, Andy Boyle, Brian Shorthall; John Reilly, Ronan Finn, Greg Bolger, Chris Mulhall; Ciaran Kilduff, Peter McMahon (Robbie Creevy 85).
Subs not used: Billy Brennan (gk), Evan McMiilan, Keith Ward, Ciaran Nangle.

Referee:

Attendance: 666

Extratime.ie man of the match: Ronan Finn (UCD) - Always looking to get on the ball, rarely made a stray pass and supported the front two well.