UCD 2 - 0 Drogheda United
Credit:
Most of the opening minutes had been played in the UCD half with Jamie Duffy having the best chance but ruled offside in the 3rd minute.
It was the 26th minute when the first chance of the game fell to Michael Daly after some great play by Jamie Duffy down the right wing, but Daly blazed well over.
Drogheda kept the pressure on and John Flood had a great chance to open the scoring in the 29th minute only to miss a point blank header.
It wasn't until the 32nd minute until the home side created their first real chance when Chris Mulhall fired over from 20 yards over.
Just as it looked like the first half would end in a stalemate UCD were awarded a penalty when Joe Kendrick brought down Mulhall. Greg Bolger made no mistake with the spot kick and the Students went in at half-time in the lead.
The second half couldn't have started any better for the Students as they doubled their advantage. Sean Harding whipped in a great ball that was met by Ciaran Kilduff's head.
The home side should have made it 3-0 when Paul Corry's shot just went wide of the post.
UCD always looked comfortable with Drogheda rarely troubling Billy Brennan at all.
In the 63rd minute UCD had two great chances too really finish the Louth side but both Mulhall and Kilduff failed to finish from just eight yards out.
The game was mainly played in the centre of the park and it was clear that the pitch didn't suit either side as the players failed to complete easy passes as the ball bobbled over their feet on numerous occasions.
John Flood couldn't have blamed the pitch in the 72nd minute when he missed a great chance. He nicked the ball off UCD keeper Billy Brennan but his blushes were spared when Flood hit the ball wide.
There were no chances after that and the game ended up being a scrappy affair with UCD hanging on to their two goal advantage and piling on more misery for Alan Mathew’s men.
UCD: Billy Brennan, Sean Harding, Brian Shorthall(Ciaran Nangle 55), Andy Boyle, Evan McMillian, Greg Bolger, Peter McMahon, Paul Corry, Ciaran Kilduff, Chris Mulhall, Dwayne Wilson( David McMillian 65)
UCD Subs: Stephen Roche, Keith Ward, Ger Barron
Drogheda United: Paul Murphy, Corie Tracey, Joe Kendrick, Alan McNally, Brendan McGill(77 Ryan Brennan), Jamie Duffy, John Flood, Jamie Duffy, Michael Daly, Brian King, Colm Smith
Subs: Paul Skinner, Derek Kierans, Damien Brennan, Paul Matando
Yellow Cards: Jamie Duffy (Drogheda United)
Attendence: 315
Extratime.ie Man Of The Match: Ciaran Kilduff
