- Gareth O'Reilly
- Mon, Aug 17 2015
Tom Beary was at the game for us to capture it through his camera, you can see those pictures by clicking here.
UCD manoeuvred their way out of quite a hole as they came from one goal down to score three times in the second half and earn a hard fought three points against ten man Athlone Town. Goals from Gary O’Neill, Mark Langtry and substitute Daire O’Connor proved the difference although the game was most certainly turned on its head when Thomas Mulroney handled a Tomas Boyle header on the line and received his marching orders.
A poor start by both teams saw little created inside the opening fifteen minutes with Conor Cannon and Ryan Swan, for the most part, leading the UCD attacking threat. With this being the only First Division game on Monday, it was of little surprise to see a number of rival bosses in attendance with the likes of Kevin Doherty and Shane Keegan seating themselves amongst the tiny crowd in the Bowl.
Conor Cannon and Gary O’Neill then began to push the College forward as the home side appeared to finally be willing to play with a bit more conviction in the final third but while the latter’s shot was only inches wide Cannon forcing goalkeeper Paddy Dunican to make a good save, but neither resulted in Collie O’Neill’s side taking the lead.
As the half hour mark approached Robbie Benson’s half volley forced Dunican to be his best as the College looked to take control of proceedings but instead it was Athlone that would take the lead just one minute shy of the thirty minute mark and it came through a set play.
A Thomas Mulroney corner whipped in from the right hand side was flicked onto Sam O’Connor at the back post who duly provided the touch that send the visitors into the lead.
A flurry of free kicks and corners from Benson and O’Neill saw UCD continue to lead the attacking charts but Dunican and his defence were coming out of every test still standing tall.
Despite taking the lead the Midlanders struggled to create any sort of consistency in their play for much of the first half although Adam Kelly should really have done better when presented with a guilt edge opportunity just inside the UCD penalty area. Instead Kelly’s ball ended up going over Corbet’s bar much to the relief of the home fans.
With the second half just ten minutes old the Students really should have been level after Benson danced through Alan Mathews’ sides defence only to toe-poke his final shot just wide of the far post.
Frustration was beginning to build for the College as we moved beyond the hour mark with Benson picking up a needless yellow card for a late challenge.
Then minutes later a Gary O’Neill corner was met by the head of Tomas Boyle whose goalbound shot was blocked on the line by Thomas Mulroney’s hand. Therefore referee Sean Grant was left with no choice but to dismiss the Athlone midfielder leaving O’Neill to step up and send Dunican the wrong way.
UCD began to push more bodies forward as time progressed resulting in greater chances as the visitors struggled to contain their opponents. Cannon and Mulhall both coming close in quick succession while substitute O’Connor also attempted to put his side in front, only for his shot to end up a large distance over the crossbar.
The action was anything other than over though as the ever influential Gary O’Neill squared the ball to Langtry who stroked it home to cause wild celebrations on both the pitch and the stands at Belfield.
Many thought UCD would then simply head for the corner flag and see out the last few minutes but instead deep into stoppage time Daire O’Connor raced through the Town’s defence and slotted the ball calmly under the body of keeper Paddy Dunican to make sure of the points for his team.
UCD: Niall Corbet, Mick Leahy, Ryan McLaughlin, Tomas Boyle, Mark Langtry; Chris Mulhall, Gary O’Neill, Robbie Benson, Jack Watson (Daire O’Connor 65); Conor Cannon (Dylan Watts 81), Ryan Swan.
Subs Not Used: Conor Mackey, Sean Coyne, Daniel Tobin, Eoin Kirwan, Maxi Kougun.
Yellow Cards: Benson (60).
Red Cards: None.
Athlone Town: Paddy Dunican, Aidan Friel, Stephen Dunne, Aidan Collins, James O’Donnell (Cian O’Sullivan 78); Gavin Boyne, Thomas Mulroney, Adam Kelly (Daniel Molloy 53), Sam O’Connor; Ian Fletcher, Jamie O’Neill.
Subs Not Used: Philip Gorman, Daniel Purdy, Conor Dunne, Conor Gleeson.
Yellow Cards: Boyne (78), O’Neill (90).
Red Cards: Mulroney (66).
Referee: Sean Grant.
Attendance: 175.
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Gary O’Neill (UCD).
