UCD 2 - 3 Waterford United
Credit:
A dead rubber may have taken place at the Belfield Bowl last night, but neither side showed evidence of this in what was a hugely entertaining game.
A three goal blitz in the space of four second half minutes from Waterford ensured that Stephen Henderson’s men ended the season on a high. The game contained many of the elements of Waterford’s 3-1 victory over the students in the semi-final of the EA Sports Cup back in August, the Blues superior physicality and directness proved far more effective than UCD’s attractive passing style.
Despite the celebrations of winning the league a week ago, UCD started the game brightly. David McMillan was unlucky not to find the top corner of the Waterford goal as his volley on the edge of the box went inches wide. McMillan again threatened Kevin Burns goal, but his shot struck the keeper’s right hand post and bounced out. From the resulting attack, David Grincell threatened to run through the whole UCD defence, but goalkeeper Ger Barron came off his line well to deny the Waterford attacker.
UCD were perhaps lucky not to be reduced to ten men when Evan McMillan appeared to foul Paul Walsh. The Waterford midfielder’s run to goal appeared to be halted by McMillan. With UCD centre back Andy Boyle in line with the play, ‘Big Ev’ looked to be the last man. However, Walsh was deemed to have gone over to easily and UCD escaped without any punishment.
Just as luck had it, UCD scored five minutes later. Influential skipper Ronan Finn picked out an inch perfect pass to the students top- scorer Ciarán Kilduff. Once put through on goal, ‘Killer’ fired the ball into the roof of the net. The goal was his fourteenth league goal of the season, sixteenth on all competitions.
Waterford had chances to equalise through Kevin Murray who headed wide from an Alan Carey free and on 31 minutes, Vinny Sullivan’s shot was again well blocked by Barron. At the other end, UCD threatened to extend their lead but Kilduff and particularly Finn were guilty of missing chances when only a calm finish was required.
The start of the second half saw both teams make changes. For UCD, Michael Kelly came on for right-back Seán Harding, while Willie John Kiely and Graham Cummins came on for David Grincell and Dave Warren. Stephen Henderson’s substitutes proved far more effective as both were involved in Waterford’s clinical spell of dominance.
As UCD’s play tailed off and the players possibly began to think of the champagne celebrations that were to come, Waterford’s Alan Carey advanced from his full-back position to deliver a great cross for Willie John Kiely to head home. 60 seconds later, Waterford had the lead. UCD lost possession from the restart, and Vinny Sullivan’s 25 yard shot beat the diving effort of Barron in the UCD goal, striking the keepers left post, then the right, before scuttling over the goal line.
Sullivan effectively ended the game as a contest a minute later. With the in-experienced Kelly struggling on the right, Paul Walsh raided forward before pulling the ball back for Sullivan to apply the simple finish. The goal blitz was no more than the sizeable travelling support deserved to see.
Graham Cummins threatened to get in on the act, but his goal was ruled out for a foul in the build-up. Stephen Roche tried to get UCD back into things, but his cross come shot was tipped over the bar by keeper Burns, while David McMillan’s volley went wide after a good cross from Finn.
Alan Carey went close to having a late entry for goal of the season, but his 25 yard free came crashing off Ger Barron’s crossbar. Things got worse for UCD soon after, Evan McMillan was forced off the pitch having picked up a nasty leg injury. This left UCD with 10 men having used all their three allotted substitutes.
Finally, with Waterford fans chanting “Shoes off, if your 3-1 up” and UCD supporters cheering “Champions”, David McMillan managed to secure a consolation for UCD. Chris Mulhall’s cross found his team-mate, and he made no mistake by slotting the ball past Burns from twelve yards out.
There proved to be no opportunity for UCD to secure a late equaliser, as Waterford eased to victory in the final seconds. The game highlighted the standard to which Stephen Henderson’s men can play to. The stuttering end to the season proved costly for Waterford, fantastic runs in both the EA Sports Cup and the FAI Ford Cup can perhaps be blamed for this. However, should Henderson retain this squad, Waterford will start next season as favourites.
For UCD, they were left with the consolation of lifting the First Division trophy after the game. Nice consolation to have.
UCD: Barron; Harding (Kelly 45), E McMillan, Boyle, Nangle; Mulhall, Corry (Bolger 44), Creevy (Roche 60), Finn, D McMillan; Kilduff. Subs not used: Reilly, McMahon.
Waterford United: Burns; Carey, Murray, Browne, Kearney; Warren (Cummins 45), Grant, Long, Walsh; Grincell (Kiely 45), Sullivan. Subs not used: Waters, Dunphy.
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Vinny Sullivan. Showed real class in his first goal, and showed goal-poacher instincts by being in the right place at the right time to tap in the third goal.
A three goal blitz in the space of four second half minutes from Waterford ensured that Stephen Henderson’s men ended the season on a high. The game contained many of the elements of Waterford’s 3-1 victory over the students in the semi-final of the EA Sports Cup back in August, the Blues superior physicality and directness proved far more effective than UCD’s attractive passing style.
Despite the celebrations of winning the league a week ago, UCD started the game brightly. David McMillan was unlucky not to find the top corner of the Waterford goal as his volley on the edge of the box went inches wide. McMillan again threatened Kevin Burns goal, but his shot struck the keeper’s right hand post and bounced out. From the resulting attack, David Grincell threatened to run through the whole UCD defence, but goalkeeper Ger Barron came off his line well to deny the Waterford attacker.
UCD were perhaps lucky not to be reduced to ten men when Evan McMillan appeared to foul Paul Walsh. The Waterford midfielder’s run to goal appeared to be halted by McMillan. With UCD centre back Andy Boyle in line with the play, ‘Big Ev’ looked to be the last man. However, Walsh was deemed to have gone over to easily and UCD escaped without any punishment.
Just as luck had it, UCD scored five minutes later. Influential skipper Ronan Finn picked out an inch perfect pass to the students top- scorer Ciarán Kilduff. Once put through on goal, ‘Killer’ fired the ball into the roof of the net. The goal was his fourteenth league goal of the season, sixteenth on all competitions.
Waterford had chances to equalise through Kevin Murray who headed wide from an Alan Carey free and on 31 minutes, Vinny Sullivan’s shot was again well blocked by Barron. At the other end, UCD threatened to extend their lead but Kilduff and particularly Finn were guilty of missing chances when only a calm finish was required.
The start of the second half saw both teams make changes. For UCD, Michael Kelly came on for right-back Seán Harding, while Willie John Kiely and Graham Cummins came on for David Grincell and Dave Warren. Stephen Henderson’s substitutes proved far more effective as both were involved in Waterford’s clinical spell of dominance.
As UCD’s play tailed off and the players possibly began to think of the champagne celebrations that were to come, Waterford’s Alan Carey advanced from his full-back position to deliver a great cross for Willie John Kiely to head home. 60 seconds later, Waterford had the lead. UCD lost possession from the restart, and Vinny Sullivan’s 25 yard shot beat the diving effort of Barron in the UCD goal, striking the keepers left post, then the right, before scuttling over the goal line.
Sullivan effectively ended the game as a contest a minute later. With the in-experienced Kelly struggling on the right, Paul Walsh raided forward before pulling the ball back for Sullivan to apply the simple finish. The goal blitz was no more than the sizeable travelling support deserved to see.
Graham Cummins threatened to get in on the act, but his goal was ruled out for a foul in the build-up. Stephen Roche tried to get UCD back into things, but his cross come shot was tipped over the bar by keeper Burns, while David McMillan’s volley went wide after a good cross from Finn.
Alan Carey went close to having a late entry for goal of the season, but his 25 yard free came crashing off Ger Barron’s crossbar. Things got worse for UCD soon after, Evan McMillan was forced off the pitch having picked up a nasty leg injury. This left UCD with 10 men having used all their three allotted substitutes.
Finally, with Waterford fans chanting “Shoes off, if your 3-1 up” and UCD supporters cheering “Champions”, David McMillan managed to secure a consolation for UCD. Chris Mulhall’s cross found his team-mate, and he made no mistake by slotting the ball past Burns from twelve yards out.
There proved to be no opportunity for UCD to secure a late equaliser, as Waterford eased to victory in the final seconds. The game highlighted the standard to which Stephen Henderson’s men can play to. The stuttering end to the season proved costly for Waterford, fantastic runs in both the EA Sports Cup and the FAI Ford Cup can perhaps be blamed for this. However, should Henderson retain this squad, Waterford will start next season as favourites.
For UCD, they were left with the consolation of lifting the First Division trophy after the game. Nice consolation to have.
UCD: Barron; Harding (Kelly 45), E McMillan, Boyle, Nangle; Mulhall, Corry (Bolger 44), Creevy (Roche 60), Finn, D McMillan; Kilduff. Subs not used: Reilly, McMahon.
Waterford United: Burns; Carey, Murray, Browne, Kearney; Warren (Cummins 45), Grant, Long, Walsh; Grincell (Kiely 45), Sullivan. Subs not used: Waters, Dunphy.
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Vinny Sullivan. Showed real class in his first goal, and showed goal-poacher instincts by being in the right place at the right time to tap in the third goal.
