League Report: UCD 1 - 0 Cabinteely

UCD recorded a first victory in six games on Friday evening when Collie O’Neill’s side defeated Cabinteely by one goal to nil at the UCD Bowl. Jamie Doyle's 26th minute strike also ensured the Student’s secured third place and the final SSE Airtricity League First Division playoff spot.

In a game which UCD knew nothing less than victory was required, the Students were first to settle into their stride with Ryan Swan delivering some lovely low deliveries into the Cabo penalty area.

Despite UCD being first to settle it was Cabinteely who had the game's first effort on target when Stephen Dunne's low shot was easily gathered by Conor O’Donnell. Dunne’s effort would see an instant response from UCD, but both Gary O’Neill and Mark Langtry failed to find the target from outside the penalty area.

Swan, who was operating as a midfielder, sent a low delivery to just outside the six yard box but failed to find a teammate. As UCD continued to search for a key to unlock the Cabinteely defence, an O’Neill free-kick showed they were getting closer, but on this occasion his delivery was headed behind for a corner.

Moments later the Students got the game's pivotal goal when Doyle was allowed to waltz through the defence before his low effort from close range sailed past Cathal Gillen in the visiting goal.

After taking the lead, Eoin Kirwan was the next UCD player to try his luck and the midfielder was unfortunate to see his effort collide with the crossbar after beating a helpless Gillen.

With half-time fast approaching, UCD should have doubled their advantage when goal scorer Doyle rounded the keeper, but his effort from an acute angle hit the defenders back before Jack Watson fired the rebound high and wide.

In a second-half where chances were limited, the sides exchanged opportunities early on, first Swan fired wide before Sodiq Oguntola header fell to Dunne who failed to find the target.

With little over 20 minutes remaining at the Bowl, Langtry thought he had found the Cabo net when his strike from 25 yards cannoned off the crossbar after the ball fell to the defender from an O’Neill knockdown.

As Cabinteely pushed for an equaliser they had a huge shout for a penalty after a free-kick appeared to strike the UCD player in the wall, but referee Simon Rogers allowed play to carry on and from the counter attack Swan forced a great stop from Gillen.

Oguntola will feel he should have done better after the forward found his way through on goal, but he lost control of the ball in the UCD box as the Students defence recovered.

UCD AFC: Conor O’Donnell (GK), Mark Langtry, Maxi Kouogun, Michael Leahy, Ryan McLaughlin, Ryan Swan, Eoin Kirwan, Jack Watson, Gary O’Neill, Jamie Doyle, Conor Cannon (Jason McClelland 86)

Subs Not Used: Niall Corbet (GK), Sean Coyne, Daniel Tobin, Adam Harney, Sean Byrne, Gareth Coughlan

Booked: O’Donnell (90+4), Doyle (90)

Cabinteely FC: Cathal Gillen (GK), Karl Byrne (Sean Burke 90), Victor Ekanem, Edward McDonagh, Kevin Knight, Stephen Dunne, Aaron Brilly, Richard Purdy, Michael Brown (Darren Clarke 68), Peter Durard (Stephen Hanley 63), Sodiq Oguntola

Subs Not Used: Sean Hyland (GK), Daniel Campbell, Josh Quinlivan, Jamie McGlynn

Booked: Byrne (88), Knight (75), Dunne (50)

Match Referee: Simon Rogers

Attendance: 153

Extratime Man of the Match: Ryan Swan (UCD)