- Stephen Walsh
- Sun, Mar 08 2015
UCD began life in the First Division last night away to Cobh Ramblers in St. Colman’s Park in a way that they hope will continue for the foreseeable future. Goals from Gary O’Neill, Ryan Swan and Jamie Doyle were enough to put the students top of the First Division in place of Cabinteely FC.
The game was only ten minutes old when a Chris Mulhall cross into the box found Gary O’Neill and he rose highest to direct the ball past David Browne from close range. Cobh attempted to get an equaliser five minutes later but the free from Stephen Kenny was headed narrowly over the bar from Eoghan Murphy inside the box.
UCD should really have doubled the lead on twenty minutes when Brendan Frahill fouled Dylan Watts in the box with a penalty being awarded to the visitors. Up stepped Conor Canon but his strike to the right was saved by Browne only for the follow up from Watts to be also blocked and the danger was averted.
On 32 minutes Cobh had another major let off when Brendan Frahill lost possession of the ball and Canon saw his shot well saved again from 12 yards. The home side, living off scraps for the majority of the first half, nearly equalised on 39 minutes when an Eoghan Murphy shot from close range was stopped by Niall Corbet.
UCD were far more clinical with their finishing in the second half and doubled the lead on 53 minutes when substitute Ryan Swan finished off a one on one. Mark Langtry was then booked for a bit of pushing with Alan O’Flynn and this was to prove vital later on in the game.
Jamie Doyle put the game beyond doubt for UCD on 57 minutes as he finished off a Ryan Swan ball across the six yard box.
The home side were lacking a final ball of any real quality during the game and despite having eight corners they never really threatened to score during the game, except on 83 minutes when a powerful shot from Darren Murphy went narrowly over the bar and late in injury time Shane O’Connor headed over from inside the six yard box when completely unmarked following a Kenny free kick.
In injury time Mark Langtry was shown a second yellow card for a tackle on Kenny and UCD played the final moments of the game with ten men.
Cobh Ramblers: David Browne; Eoghan Murphy, Graham McCarthy, Brendan Frahill (c), Shane O’Connor; Ryan Goldsmith (Andrew Bhandarkar 60), Alan O’Flynn, Robert Waters (Steven McCarthy 73); Ronan Stanton, Kynan Rocks (Darren A Murphy 46), Stephen Kenny.
Subs not used: Steven Hickey (gk), Ross McCarthy, Audi Dunlea, Jonathan Creamer.
Booked: Frahill (20), Goldsmith (36), A O’Flynn (55), S Mccarthy (89), O'Connor (90).
UCD: Niall Corbet; Mark Langtry, Seán Coyne, Ryan McLaughlin, Mick Leahy; Dylan Watts (Daire O’Conchubhair 88), Greg Sloggett, Gary O’Neill, Jamie Doyle (Eoin Kirwan 85), Chris Mulhall; Conor Canon (Ryan Swan 41).
Subs not used: Conor Mackey (gk), Dan Tobin, Maxi Kougoun, Samir Belhout.
Booked: Coyne (28), Sloggett (50), Langtry (56).
Sent Off: Langtry (90+1).
Referee: Jim McKell (Tipperary)
Attendance: 300 (estimate)
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Ryan Swan (UCD)
