Drogheda United 1 - 2 UCD

• Eimear Taaffe
• Sat, Jun 05 2010


UCD edged out lowly Drogheda United 2-1 in their FAI Cup Third Round tie at Hunky Dory’s Park on Friday night. Goals in each half from Chris Mulhall and David McMillan were enough to see The Students through.

The game started brightly with both teams fast out of the blocks in a high tempo FAI Cup tie. Drogheda United gave away a number of needless free kicks in the opening 20 minutes, allowing UCD opportunity to attack.

However they did not capitalise on these chances, with David McMillan playing in his name sake, Evan, whose first touch was poor and followed up with an ambitious overhead kick, although Paul Skinner never looked worried.

Drogheda Midfielder Mick Daly almost gifted the opening goal to UCD. His attempted back pass bypassed the Boynesiders’ net minder Paul Skinner and rebounded off the bottom of the left upright, thus allowing the home supporters to breathe a sigh of relief.

Next, it was young Ryan Brennan creating a stir in Hunky Dory’s Park, but for all the right reasons. Brother of Bohemians winger Killian and a Drogheda native, showed his skill, commitment and strength in the tackle as he outweighed a number of UCD players.

Chances came for Drogheda, with Brendan McGill, Gareth O’Connor and John Flood linking up well. In a traditional one two, Flood and O’Connor fed each other with the latter playing in a low optimistic ball to the flood, however the shot was mild and well saved by Billy Brennan. Kendrick’s corner was perfectly weighted and Mick Daly rose highest to head home to give Drogheda the lead.

Evan McMillan played the ball forward for Kilduff to shoot but his high shot flew over the cross bar. However it was Mulhall who drew the score level. As the Boynesiders defence stood off him, Mulhall was allowed time and space for the low precise strike into the bottom corner to level the score. With half time looming it was the visitors who looked the livelier and it was as you were after the break.

Mulhall and McMillan were working well together creating chances with McMillan unlucky not to connect with a good ball from Mulhall. Drogheda’s defence had not too much to do, as the game was a tale of two midfields throughout.

The home team were promising particularly on the right side on the pitch with Ryan Brennan and Gareth O’Connor linking up well. It was Brennan with the shot, after a well worked move but through the sea of blue bodies Billy Brennan was on hand to collect.

The winning goal arrived after 76 minutes. David McMillan sweetly stuck cross-shot from the right flew into the back of Paul Skinner’s goal. Whether it was a cross or a shot, only David McMillan will know.

John Flood reacted fastest for Drogheda shortly after but his well hit shot went over the crossbar. With time ticking on, Jamie Duffy gathered the ball from the halfway line, taking on the UCD defence and the shot. The keeper saved, but there were questions about whether Brennan carried the ball over the line. The home supporters cheers said yes, but the referee said no.

UCD striker Chris Mulhall was awarded the Ford Man of the Match following the game. United’s McGill’s in the Drogheda midfield were also a notable players in the game. While the contest was a tight affair; that could have ended in a replay however it is The Students who march on.

Drogheda United: Paul Skinner; Corie Tracey, Joe Kendrick, Alan McNally, Eoghan Osborne; Brendan McGill, Eric McGill, Mick Daly, Ryan Brennan (Jamie Duffy, 64); Gareth O’Connor (Glen Fitzpatrick, 84), John Flood
Subs not used: Paul Murphy, Chris Kerr, Derek Kierans, Stephen Murphy, Colm Smyth

UCD: Billy Brennan; Sean Harding (Stephen Roche, 88), Ciaran Nangle, Andy Boyle, Evan McMillan; Greg Bolger, Keith Ward (Robbie Creevy), Paul Corry, Ciaran Kilduff; Chris Mulhall, David McMillan
Subs not used: Michael Leahy, Paul O’Connor, Mark McGinley, Graham Rusk, Dwayne Wilson

extratime.ie Man of the Match: David McMillan
Referee: Derek Tomney
Attendance: 700 (estimate).