- Josh Dolan
- Sat, May 09 2015
A late header from Phillip Gorman denied UCD all three points away at The Athlone Town Stadium on the day that the Belfield club received the news that they, subject to licensing, will be competing in next season’s Europa League.
UCD Striker Ryan Swan put The Students in front with the first real chance of the game after 13 minutes after a clever through ball from Students skipper Robbie Benson found the striker, who struck calmly beyond Shane Cusack.
The Belfield boys retained possession well in the first half and also looked a threat going forward. After 22 minutes, winger Jamie Doyle picked the ball up, before driving down the left and firing a powerful effort into the side-netting.
It was the half hour mark before Athlone managed to fashion a chance of any note. The chance came, as Ryan McLaughlin lost the ball on the halfway line, goal scorer Gorman then picked up the ball, before finding Derek Doyle, who saw his effort expertly saved by Niall Corbet from 15 yards out.
Moments later Chris Mulhall had a chance to double the Students’ lead, as Dylan Watts twisted and turned, before switching the ball to Mulhall, but his effort went just past the far post.
The game was beginning to open up and Derek Doyle could’ve equalised for Athlone, as his header from Stephen Quigley’s cross was well matched by Corbet in the UCD goal.
UCD could and should have gone in 2-0 up at halftime. A minute before the break Jack Watson picked out midfielder Watts in space, but his close range effort was blocked to safety by the Athlone rear-guard.
Defender Tomás Boyle isn’t renowned for his goal scoring quality but shortly after the break Boyle pounced on a loose ball, before volleying safely over Cusack’s cross-bar from inside the penalty box.
Students defender Mark Langtry was very unlucky not to put the Students further ahead, as he cut inside, onto his left foot, before seeing his powerful effort palmed onto the cross-bar by Cusack.
Athlone began to grow into the game in the second half and were unlucky not to equalise when midfielder Foley cannoned a free kick off the bar from long range.
That wasn’t to be Foley’s only contribution on the night, as he was given a straight red card for dissent by referee John McLouglin.
Despite the numerical disadvantage Eddie Wallace rallied his troops to an 86th minute equaliser, as Gorman rose highest to head a Derek Doyle free kick past Corbet and into the top corner of the Students’ goal.
UCD welcome fellow promotion chasers Wexford Youths to the UCD Bowl next Friday, while Athlone host Kevin Doherty and his Shelbourne side.
UCD: Niall Corbet; Mark Langtry, Michael Leahy, Tomás Boyle, Ryan McLaughlin; Dylan Watts, Jack Watson, Robbie Benson (C); Chris Mulhall (Samir Belhout 61), Ryan Swan (Eoin Kirwan 81), Jamie Doyle.
Subs Not Used; Conor Mackey; Daniel Tobin, Sean Coyne, Ian Ryan; Gareth Coughlan.
Booked: Swan (68), Boyle (85), Benson (90).
Athlone Town: Shane Cusack; Stephen Quigley (Daniel Purdy 69) Brian Shortall (C), Aidan Collins, Stephen Dunne; Eric Foley, Thomas Mulroney, Gary Burke (Garbhan Coughlan 46); Marco Chindea (Ian Sweeney 62), Phillip Gorman, Derek Doyle.
Subs Not Used: Patrick Dunican; Sean French; Gavin Boyne; Sam O’Connor.
Booked: Quigley (53), Shortall (63).
Sent Off: E. Foley (80)
Referee: John McLoughlin.
Attendance: 250 (estimate)
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Dylan Watts (UCD).
