Shamrock Rovers 3 - 1 UCD
- John Robert Dunne
- Sun, Aug 16 2009
Although Shamrock Rovers ultimately won this FAI Ford cup tie comfortably, at times it was far from straight forward as UCD put up a spirited performance. Two top quality strikes from Dessie Baker, who missed a late penalty, and Padddy Kananagh proved to be the difference between the sides in this entertaining encounter.
The match began in true cup style with open attacking play from both sides. UCD came to play, not just sit and defend, and this produced an open game with plenty of chances for each side. They were rewarded with the opening goal after just 15 minutes. Rovers’ centre half Craig Sives had just gone off injured and perhaps this led to Ciaran Kilduff finding himself in so much space bearing down on goal. He coolly rounded Barry Murphy in the home side’s goal before checking and picking his spot. At this stage Michael O’Neill may have began to regret leaving some of his senior players on the bench such as Aidan Price, Stephen Rice and top scorer Gary Twigg.
However the Students enjoyed the lead for just 9 minutes. Sean O’Connor controlled the ball brilliantly to get in behind the UCD defence and with the keeper on-coming he unselfishly played in Baker, who looked to have taken too much time on the ball only to recover and poke the ball in at the near post from only 5 yards out. The 31st saw the goal of the game, a cracker from Rovers new boy Paddy Kavanagh, making his first start for the club here. Following a neat 1-2 with Flynn, under no pressure he pick out the top corner from 25 yards out with his least favoured left foot. A truly special way to endure himself to his new fans.
Despite Rovers taking the lead UCD still seemed very much in the contest. The Hoops were grateful to Aiden Price, who made a great tackle to keep out David McMillan and on the stroke of half time Kilduff nearly got his second, a snap shot from 18 yards going inches over.
Dessie Baker gave his side the cushion they needed by scoring his second 10 minutes into the second half time. A delicate pass from Kavanagh saw Baker round the keeper and while everybody expected a cross Baker scored off the far post from an almost impossible angle on the touch line. As the second half began to drift UCD kept pushing and Murphy was lucky to stay on the field after handling the ball outside his box under pressure from Kilduff. His momentum caused him to foul but to the dismay of the UCD players the referee only produced a yellow card. The resulting free kick from Greg Bolger was well over.
There was late drama as Baker missed the chance to score the first hat-trick at Tallaght as Rovers missed their fourth penalty of the season at their new stadium. A good flick by Don Cowan played in the constantly impressive Kavanagh, who passed to O’Connor. His attempt to round the keeper was thwarted as Billy Brennan brought him down. Baker looked to have blasted the spot kick wide but a corner was given so Brennan deserves huge credit for a full length save.
Despite that small disappointment Rovers will be delighted to enter the quarter final draw and with their three month unbeaten run they will feel confident of now going all the way. There were plenty of positives on display here; Kavanagh looks to have settled quickly and after a slow start to the season, Shane Robinson looks to be back to his best. UCD were always in this game, their two tall strikers causing plenty of problems for the Rovers defence and right winger John Reilly showing good touches of skill throughout but the teams are separated by a division for a reason and they will have to go back to the important business of fighting for promotion.
Extratime.ie man of the match; Dessie Baker was excellent throughout and his two goals were the reason that Rovers advance.
Shamrock Rovers(4-4-2)
Murphy; Flynn, Maguire, Sives(Price’13), Cahill; Kavanagh, Robinson( Johnston’77) Bradley, O’Connor; Purcell(Cowan’77), Baker.
Subs not used; Rice, Twigg, Treacy, Duggan(gk).
Booked; Bradley, Murphy.
UCD (4-4-2)
Brennen; Mattews, Boyle, Evan McMillan©, Shorthall; Nangle, Reilly(Ward’59),Bolger, Mullhall; Kilduff, David McMilan(McMahon’59).
Subs not used; Leahy, Roche, Rusk, Timmy Purcell, Barron.
Booked; Brennan, Bolger.
John Robert Dunne has yet to write anything about themselves but click on the bio link to view all past work.
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