League Report: Dundalk 1 - 1 UCD

Dundalk and UCD played out a 1-1 draw on the opening night of the 2023 SSE Airtricity Premier Division in Oriel Park. The Lilywhites took the lead through John Martin but a free-kick twelve minutes from time by Ciaran Behan was enough to send the Students home with a point on the table.

The home side handed out four starting debuts, with three in defence. Full-backs Louis Annesley (left) and Archie Davies (right) were joined by centre half Hayden Muller.

Operating in an advanced midfield role was Connor Malley - the ex-Rochdale man was prominent throughout the first half and in charge of many of the set pieces for the Lilywhites.

Andy Myler’s Students saw opening night debuts for ex-Waterford defender Jesse Dempsey at left-back and Adam Wells at the heart of the defence while former Derry City man Brendan Barr occupied a place in the UCD engine room.

It was a quiet opening quarter as both sides settled down into the game before efforts from John Martin and Ciaran Behan forced the respective goalkeepers into action - Healy scrambled away Martin’s poked effort from close range while Behan’s shot from distance was straight at the waiting Nathan Shepperd.

Less than ten minutes later Dundalk had the chance to open the scoring courtesy of a Pat Hoban penalty conceded by Donal Higgins. The former Galway winger tripped John Martin in the box after a clever Dundalk set piece.

However, his goalkeeper bailed him out with a fantastic save low to his left and deny the Loughrea man for his second opening day spot kick miss since 2019. Former Sligo Rovers keeper Ed McGinty the stopper on that occasion.

Buoyed by his reprieve, Higgins raced forward in the next UCD attack and curled an effort towards the top corner. Nathan Shepperd’s athleticism in springing to his left foiling the former Irish Schoolboy international.

However, the deadlock was broken just after the half-hour mark as Andy Boyle released Louis Annesley down the left and his low cross was fired to the net by John Martin - the Kilkenny man opening his account for the season with a little help from a clever touch by Pat Hoban.

Taking a 1-0 lead into the break, Dundalk must have fancied their chances against a Belfied outfit for whom many were playing their fourth game in five days, following their Collingwood Cup success earlier in the week.

However, it was The Students who found the net next - a fine free kick from Ciaran Behan on the edge of the area nestled into the top left hand corner of Nathan Shepperd’s goal despite the Welshman getting a hand to the effort.

With over ten minutes remaining and a subsequent five added at the end of the allotted period, Dundalk never truly troubled Lorcan Healy in the UCD goal and a busy week ended without defeat - three wins and a draw isn’t a bad five days in anyone’s books and gets the side many tipped for relegation off to a decent start.

For Dundalk, despite a number of solid performances, it just wasn’t enough on the night and they will be hoping for a greater attacking output when they visit Dalymount Park next week.

Dundalk: Nathan Shepperd; Louie Annesley, Andy Boyle, Archie Davies, Hayden Muller; Alfie Lewis (Paul Doyle 80), Connor Malley (Cameron Elliott 79), John Martin (Keith Ward 84), Ryan O'Kane (Daniel Kelly 84), Greg Sloggett; Patrick Hoban.

Subs not used: Mark Byrne, Peter Cherrie, Jake Hough, Oisin Coleman, Anthony Moyo.

Booked: Connor Malley (77), Hayden Muller (84).

Sent off: None.

UCD: Lorcan Healy; Jesse Dempsey, Michael Gallagher, Jack Keaney, Adam Wells (Ryan Bowden 60); Brendan Barr, Ciaran Behan, Donal Higgins, Dara Keane, Daniel Norris (Mark Dignam 69); Alex Nolan.

Subs not used: Sam Healy, Daniel Babb, Harry O'Connor, Sami Clarke, Ryan McBrearty, Jake Doyle, Danu Kinsella Bishop.

Booked: Donal Higgins (24) Brendan Barr (71).

Sent off: None.

Referee: Arnold Hunter

Attendance: 3,142

extratime.com Player of the Match: Ciaran Behan (UCD)