Dundalk 2 - 0 UCD

Goals at the end of either half proved to be the difference as Dundalk put aside a spirited performance from the visiting students. On 45 minutes a Danny Kearns penalty sent the home team in ahead and Johnny Breen sealed it in the 90th minute with a neat finish over Ger Barron.

UCD started brightly and with more composure would have taken the lead in the fifth minute. Paul Corry released Dean Marshall in acres of space down the UCD right but his pull back was behind the UCD attack and the chance was lost.

Dundalk finally got enough of the ball to create the games first real clear cut chance on 15 minutes when Keith Ward dinked a lovely ball through the UCD backline for Danny Kearns. One on one with Barron, he controlled and shot from 10 yards but the net minder saved with his feet to deny the Belfast man.

UCD struck back and, again, with more composure would have opened the scoring. A corner from Dean Marshall was cleared as far as Paul O’Conor who lifted the ball back in for Robbie Creevy, relatively unmarked six yards out, but he got under the chance and planted it over the top.

The next opening fell to Mark Griffin after hard work by Danny Kearns wide on the right forced Ciaran Nangle to play a suicidal ball across his own box. Griffin was on it in a flash and tried to find the net at the near post but pulled it just the wrong side.

The Dundalk opener arrived on the cusp of half time when a beautiful ball by Mark Griffin from the centre to wide on the right found the marauding Simon Madden tearing down the wing. His cross was flighted perfectly for the inrushing attackers with Griffin looking a favourite to get his head on it. He went down under the challenge of Michael Leahy and Irelands premier referee Alan Kelly pointed to the spot after a moment of thought.

Danny Kearns won the argument about who would take the spot kick and sent Ger Barron the wrong way to see the ball nestle in the bottom corner and give Dundalk a half time lead.

Dundalk should have doubled their lead within seconds of the restart. Ward, who else, lifted the ball on to the chest of Danny Kearns as he broke in to the UCD box. He half volleyed from 10 yards and smacked the post full face on before the UCD defence scrambled the loose ball clear.

The Lilywhites were looking the most likely and crosses from Gaynor and Bolger went without the reward they deserved. On 66 minutes the home team threatened again as Griffin was through one-on-one with Barron after yet another ball by Ward, but he pulled his first time effort wide of the post.

UCD hadn’t thrown the towel in by any means and Dean Marshall came close with a 20 yard free on 79 minutes but he curled it just the wrong side of the post.

Griffin was withdrawn on 81 minutes and his replacement Johnny Breen was soon in action blasting an effort over the angle of post and bar from the edge of the box on 85 minutes. But he made no mistake with his next chance on 90 minutes as Ward sent him in through the UCD inside left slot. He showed fine composure to lift the ball over the advancing Barron and seal the game for the home team.

Next up for UCD will be a daunting trip to St Pats while Dundalk will square up to Derry City at the Brandywell.

Dundalk FC: Peter Cherrie; Simon Madden, Dean Bennett, Carl McHugh, Nathan Murphy; Daniel Kearns, Stephen Maher (Philip Duffy 92), Greg Bolger, Keith Ward, Ross Gaynor; Mark Griffin (Johnny Breen 81).
Subs not used: Paul Murphy, Chris Kerr.

Bookings: None.

UCD AFC: Ger Barron; Sean Harding, David O’Connor, Michael Leahy, Ciaran Nangle; Dean Marshall, Paul Corry, Robbie Creevy (Eoin Roche 61), Paul O’Conor, Daniel Ledwith (Cillian Morrison 61); Samir Belhout.
Subs not used: Tomas Boyle, Sean Russell, James Kavanagh, Mark McGinley, Stephen Doyle.

Bookings: Leahy (45), Nangle (62).

Referee: Alan Kelly.
Attendance: 850.
extratime.ie Man of the Match: Keith Ward (Dundalk).