League Report: Cork City 0 - 0 UCD

June 3rd, 2024, Kian Moore of UCD during the League of Ireland First Division: Cork City vs UCD played at Turners Cross, Cork, Ireland.

June 3rd, 2024, Kian Moore of UCD during the League of Ireland First Division: Cork City vs UCD played at Turners Cross, Cork, Ireland. Credit: David Ribeiro (ETPhotos)

Philip Morrissey reports from Turner's Cross

It is as you were at the top as Cork City failed to overcome UCD at Turner's Cross on Monday evening.

They had a number of chances to get ahead but never really convinced against the side below them. Clancy was left scratching his head as he tries to arrest a recent slump.

It was also frustration for the visitors as they failed to make ground on the leaders. They had their own opportunities in what was generally a scrappy and tense game. They will be glad of a point on the road though as Kian Moore produced some excellent saves.  

Both managers elected to make changes after disappointing recent results. Darragh Crowley, Cian Bargary, Conor Drinan, and Josh Fitzpatrick all made starts for the home team.

Greg Bolger and Barry Coffey both dropped to the bench, with Evan McLaughlin suspended and Niall Brookwell injured. The visitors brought back in Alex Dunne, Adam Verdon, and Jake Doyle ahead of Sean Brennan, Donal Higgins, and Hugh Parker who missed out altogether.

Both sides set up in an attacking fashion, but the game took a while to settle. A booking apiece in the early quarter told for the frantic nature of it.

Conor Drinan saw his effort held by Kian Moore as he was afforded space to come forward, while Ciaran Behan was off-target with a free-kick.

The best chance came when City recycled a corner. It was played back in, and Cian Bargary had a free header a few yards out. It was somehow saved by the student’s keeper.

Jack Doherty also tested the blues netminder with a pair of free-kicks that he was just able to deal with. The home side were having a lot of joy down the left-flank as Bargary made life difficult for Adam Wells.



Sean Murray almost caught out Moore with an audacious effort from just inside his own half. He spotted him off his line and let fly with a dipping effort that the scrambling goalkeeper tipped just over the bar.

UCD showed their potential just before the break as they came forward with numbers. Cian Coleman was forced to clear over his own bar with Michael Raggett lurking just behind him.

The visitors almost found a way through after catching City on the counter. A Crossfield ball was played towards Michael Raggett who found himself in room on the edge of the area.

Harry Nevin got ahead of him to head it back to Brad Wade though. Substitute Donal Higgins was then lucky as he was not penalised for a tug back on Conor Drinan in the area.

The half became bogged down with a number of stiff challenges from both sides as neither wanted to concede the advantage. It became a difficult match to maintain the calm from Declan Toland and hard to get excited about.

City stepped it up and had a flurry of chances through Greg Bolger, Cian Murphy and Darragh Crowley. Neither were able to find the net though.



At the other end, Behan almost caught out Wade via a corner on the left. It threatened to dip under the bar but just clipped the woodwork instead. Danu Kinsella-Bishop should have done better with an effort he dragged wide.

City did have late chances from substitute Malik Dijksteel and Bolger as they desperately tried to find the elusive winner. Late calls for a penalty proved in vain as the referee waved away any decision.

It was not to be, and boos were heard as the home side dropped more points at the Cross. Cork host Longford on Friday at 19:45. UCD are back home to take on Kerry on the same evening.

 

Cork City: Bradley Wade; Harry Nevin, Cian Coleman, Charlie Lyons, Conor Drinan, Sean Murray, Darragh Crowley, Jack Doherty (Barry Coffey 89), Cian Bargary, Josh Fitzpatrick (Malik Dijksteel 81), Cian Murphy (Harvey Skieters 81)

Subs not used: Aidan Dowling, Oran Crowe, Arran Healy

Booked: Jack Doherty (07), Darragh Crowley (13), Cian Coleman (38), Harvey Skieters (90+5)

 

UCD: Kian Moore, Alex Dunne, Eanna Clancy, Niall Holohan, Adam Wells, Michael McCullagh (Donal Higgins 34), Ronan Finn ((Sean Brennan 62) Stephen Mohan 76), Adam Verdon, Ciaran Behan, Michael Raggett (Danu Kinsella-Bishop 62), Jake Doyle.

Subs not used: Dara Kavanagh, Colin Bolton, Luke O’ Regan, Adam Brennan.

Booked: Ronan Finn (15), Eanna Clancy (38), Adam Verdon (62).


Referee: Declan Toland.  

Attendance: 2522.

extratime.com Player of the Match: Kian Moore (UCD).

About Philip Morrissey

Philip is a Cork City fan for his entire adult life. From bad times to good, whether this was taking on some major European sides or in the First Division. Philip went back to college … View Full Profile