UCD 1 - 2 Dundalk
Credit:
Dundalk heaped more misery on UCD with a 2-1 Premier Division win at the UCD Bowl on Saturday night.
All three goals came late in the game, and goals from Tiernan Mulvenna and John Dillon were enough for Dundalk to secure all three points despite a late stunnder from Gareth Matthews.
UCD, eager to improve from their last home outing created an early chance through Gary Burke. His shot flew past Peter Cherrie's upright. Dundalk responded with a shot from John Dillon, but the ball bounced helpfully into Mark McGinley's hands.
On 21 minutes, a cross from John Dillon was almost turned home by Vinny Faherty, but David O'Connor intercepted at the vial moment. Both sides struggled to force an opening with David McMillan looking the most likely to break the deadlock.
With just over ten minutes of the opening period remaining, Keith Ward broke free but the winger fluffed his lines, firing straight into McGinley's arms. Dave McMillan then found space in the Dundalk area, but the striker failed to get a proper connection on the ball.
Both sides showed a lack of innovation inside the final third, Dundalk missing the passing ability of Stephen O'Donnell, and UCD still coming to terms with the loss of Paul O'Conor to Drogheda United.
In the dying embers of the opening half, Vinny Faherty squared the ball to Kurtis Byrne, only for an eloquent sliding challenge from Gareth Matthews to deny a certain goal. Even referee Paul McLaughlin couldn't take anymore and he didn't add any time on.
The second half began much like the first, both sides passing the ball well without creating many chances, that was until the impressive Ward played in Dillon but he failed to trouble McGinley.
On 58 minutes, a stinging shot from Richie Towell tested McGinley, who palmed it to safety. Minutes later Towell once again tested the 22-year-old in goal, with the same outcome. On 62 minutes The Students made a double substitution, Samir Belhout and Tyrone McNelis replacing Mark Langtry and Dinny Corcoran.
A winding run from Kurtis Byrne ended up with Keith Ward shooting over from the edge of the box. That was Ward's last contribution, he was replaced by Darren Meenan. With just 18 minutes remaining on the clock, a ball from Gary Burke saw McMillan through on goal, his shot turned behind by Cherrie.
Both managers decided a change was needed. The students sent on Criag Walsh for Barry McCabe and Tiernan Mulvenna on for Vinny Faherty.With 78 minutes on the clock, a ball through from John Dillon found Mulvenna and he dinked the ball over McGinley to open the scoring.
Just seconds later Dane Massey's cross was met by O'Connor, he could only head it clear to Dillon who hammered the ball past McGinley to extend the lillywhtes lead.
UCD found a lifeline with just two minutes remaining, Gareth Matthews hammering home a free kick from at least 40 yards out. Unfortunately for The Students, they could not force another opening in the three additional minutes.
UCD: Mark McGinley; Gareth Matthews, David O'Connor (c), Hugh Douglas; Sean Russell, Gary Burke, Robbie Creevy (Craig Walsh 75), Barry McCabe, Mark Langtry (Samir Belhout 62) ; Dinny Corcoran (Tyrone
McNelis 62), David McMillan.
Subs not used: Ger Barron (GK), James Kavanagh, Tom O'Halloran, Cillian Morrison.
Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; Mark Rossiter (c) (John Sullivan 81), Andy Boyle, Chris Shields, Dane Massey; John Dillon, Richie Towell, John Mountney, Keith Ward (Darren Meenan 68); Vinny Faherty (Tiarnan Mulvenna 76), Kurtis Byrne.
Subs not used: Aaron Shanahan (GK), Eoghan Osborne, Patrick Hoban, Stephen McDonnell.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin (Monaghan).
Attendence: 241
Extratime Man of the Match: Richie Towell (Dundalk).
