League Report: UCD 2 - 1 Shelbourne

UCD edged past Shelbourne in an entertaining match at the UCD Bowl on Tuesday night thanks to a brace from defender Mick Leahy.

Both teams came into this rearranged fixture on the back of recent cup exits and promising league form. UCD however, will have been more pleased with their start as Ryan Swan burst through onto a well-timed through ball to carve out a one on one with Greg Murray but was denied by an excellent diving save from the Shels’ keeper. The Students came close again when Jamie Doyle sent a powerful shot past the outstretched Doyle but also past the wrong side of the post. The lively Robbie Benson then blazed a glancing header over the bar following excellent work from Ryan Mclaughlin setting up an inviting cross.

Philly Hughes had Shelbourne’s first real chance when he ran through on goal only to squander the opportunity with a heavy touch towards the grateful UCD keeper, Niall Corbet. Penalty appeals for handball followed a Students’ free kick which was sent low into the Shels’ wall, but the protests were waved away by the man in the middle, Ben Connolly.

Mick Leahy broke the deadlock for the College from close range in the 30^th minute following a smart flick on from Dylan Watts that left Murray stranded in no man’s land and unable to deal with Benson’s corner. Murray redeemed himself moments later when Benson broke through a napping Shels’ defence but the keeper smartly read the striker’s intentions and intercepted his heavy touch. Benson came close again with a dipping volley from distance which Murray was glad to see sail just over his crossbar.

The Shels players were given encouraging cries by their sizeable travelling support as they made their way to the dressing rooms for half-time. It appeared to make a difference in the second half as the Drumcondra men came out firing and immediately whipped in a dangerous cross that unfortunately evaded Philly Hughes in the centre of the box.

UCD then hit back when Maxi Kouogun’s flick on came crashing off the bar and away to safety. In an exciting period of the match, the Shelbourne frontline nearly pounced on an under-hit back-pass but Corbet reacted well and found safety by clearing the ball into the crowd. The Shels faithful were delirious moments later when, in the 57^th minute, Adam O’Connor curled a stunning strike past the sprawling right arm of Corbet into the top corner of the UCD net to level the match at one apiece.

Both teams pushed for the all-important next goal, but UCD came closest when Benson had another opportunity with a well struck half volley requiring Murray to make a great save. Gareth Coughlan then tried an audacious left footed lob from outside the box but fortunately for UCD it glided just over the bar. It was an end to end stuff as Evan Osam then struck a dangerous goal-bound shot which, despite being deflected, nearly dipped into the UCD net.

Mick Leahy then restored UCD’s lead and doubled his tally for the night amidst a goal-mouth scramble that had resulted from a Students’ corner. Shels thought they’d hit back immediately when speculative shot crashed off the bar into the path of Sean Heaney who headed past the stranded Corbet into the net, only to be denied by the assistant referee’s flag for offside. In the closing moments the anticipated Shels’ onslaught never fully materialised and UCD competently saw out the remainder of the game to continue their excellent league form ahead of their next game against Roddy Collins’ Waterford United side. Meanwhile Shelbourne will hope to rectify this set back when they host Cobh Ramblers at Tolka Park later this week.

UCD: Niall Corbet; Mark Langtry, Ryan Mclaughlin (Maxi Kouogun 45+4), Mick Leahy, Tomas Boyle; Chris Mulhall, Gary O’Neill, Dylan Watts (Jack Watson 82), Robbie Benson, Jamie Doyle; Ryan Swan.

Subs Not Used: Conor Mackey; Adam Harney, Eoin Kirwan; Conor Cannon; Sean Coyne.

Bookings: Mulhall (38).

Shelbourne: Greg Murray; Darragh Gannon, Evan Osam Adam O’Connor, Sean Heaney; Daire Doyle, Gareth Coughlan, Colm Crowe (Alan O’Sullivan 84), Dylan Mcglade; Philip Hughes, Mark Sandford (Conor Earley 54).

Subs Not Used: Eric Donnelly; Jake Donnelly, Alan Kehoe; Conor Keely; Aaron Robinson.

Bookings: Crowe (33), Coughlan (76).

Referee: Ben Connolly.

Attendance: 400 (estimate)

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Mick Leahy.