First Division round-up: Cork City remain top as UCD return to winning ways

UCD's Ciaran Behan (left, image from Martin Doherty) and Cork City's Cathal O'Sullivan (image from David Ribeiro)

UCD's Ciaran Behan (left, image from Martin Doherty) and Cork City's Cathal O'Sullivan (image from David Ribeiro) Credit: None

Cork City maintained their unbeaten start to the FIrst Division thanks to a routine 2-0 victory over Bray Wanderers at Turner’s Cross. 

Tim Clancy’s side have dropped only two points so far this season - and that draw came in a 1-1 stalemate with Finn Harps in Ballybofey. 

Key to their start has been the arrival of forward Jack Doherty, and the emergence of teenager Cathal O’Sullivan.

And 17-year-old O’Sullivan was the star of the show for City against the Seagulls. 

Former Dundalk midfielder Sean Murray opened the scoring for the Leesiders in the seventh minute, while O’Sullivan then doubled their lead eight minutes later. 

City coasted home for the rest of the game in front of 2,923 fans.

Meanwhile, UCD eased past ten-man Athlone Town to secure their first home win since Augist 2023. 

The Students lost three games on the spin prior to Athlone’s visit to Belfield, but they responded in the best possible way with a 3-0 victory. 

Ciaran Behan opened the scoring for Willie O’Connor’s side, while former Shamrock Rovers youngster Mikey Raggett doubled their lead soon by the 21st minute. 



Athlone’s task grew insurmountable in the 37th minute when defender Dylan Hand was dismissed. 

But UCD had to wait until the 90th minute until they netted their third with Jake Doyle on target. 

Elsewhere, David Cawley struck for Finn Harps in second half injury time to defeat Wexford at Ferrycarrig Park. 

After impressing against UCD last weekend, the Slaneysiders took a first half lead through Cian O’Malley. 

But the Co Donegal stayed in the game and levelled four minutes into the second half when Patrick Ferry scored. 



And Cawley then struck late on to break Wexford hearts. 

And at Mounthawk Park, Kerry were denied a first home league win as they drew 1-1 with Cobh Ramblers. 

Striker Ryan Kelliher opened the scoring for Conor McCarthy’s side in the 71st minute. 

But the Kingdom were ahead for just four minutes before James O’Leary equalised for Ramblers.

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