- Gareth O'Reilly
- Sun, Jul 26 2015
UCD emerged victorious from a very hard fought battle with Finn Harps on Sunday evening in the Airtricity First Division. A battle is certainly the only way to describe this victory, which saw Robbie Benson secure the points shortly after the hour mark, as neither side really showed their best form for the majority of the contest.
It was hard to pick out any chances of note during the opening 25 minutes of action with neither side’s attacking forces particularly impressing. UCD, who were fresh off their European adventure, failed to hit the target with Langtry and Doyle failing to create the desired end result.
The action then finally began to intensify as Benson’s free kick was tipped wide by a full stretched Ciaran Gallagher. Moments later and referee Andrew Mullally issued a flurry of yellow cards to UCD’s Donegal based visitors.
First Thomas McMonagle entered the book for a clear professional foul as he pulled back the lively Ryan Swan when he attempted to break clear of the defence and bare down on goal. Just two minutes after that yellow card and Kevin McHugh and Gareth Harkin joined their colleagues McMonagle and McNulty in the match official’s book.
In fact it was hard to argue with many of Mullally’s yellow card decision as he swiftly went onto book Dylan Watts and Wilfried Tagbo before the half time interval.
The second half began with Jamie Doyle firing a shot straight at Ciaran Gallagher in an attempted show of intent. Just seconds later Gallagher was forced to clear the ball behind for a College corner with the delivery going hopelessly back out of play.
UCD then took the lead just after the hour mark through their captain Robbie Benson after he strode onto a low cross from the left wing by Mark Langtry.
Tagbo was looking his ever impressive self, leading Ollie Horgan’s men in their attempts to secure an equaliser. UCD made their third sub shortly after as they looked to cement that lead but in truth this was not one of O’Neill’s teams best performances – although Harps were also struggling to find the form that saw them enter the game in first position, ten points ahead of UCD.
With three minutes to go the inevitable happened as McMonagle was dismissed for the visitors having received his first yellow card inside the first half an hour of this fixture. The reduction of Harps to ten men effectively ended the fight from Ollie Horgan and his side as the College saw the game out in professional fashion.
UCD: Niall Corbet (Conor Mackey 37), Mick Leahy, Tomas Boyle, Maxi Kouogun, Mark Langtry; Samir Belhout (Jack Watson 73), Gary O’Neill, Robbie Benson, Dylan Watts (Conor Cannon 46), Jamie Doyle; Ryan Swan.
Subs Not Used: Adam Harney, Ryan McLaughlin, Eoin Kirwan, Daire O’Connor.
Yellow Cards: Swan (6), Watts (44).
Red Cards: None.
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher, Damien McNulty, Packie Mailey (Josh Mailey 64), Tommy McMonagle, Ciaran Coll, Nathan Boyle, Raymond Foy, Tony MacNamee, Gareth Harkin (Kieran McNaid 85); Wilfried Tagbo (Matt Crossan, 75), Kevin McHugh.
Subs Not Used: Tommy Lee McCarron, Oisin McMenamin, Oisin Hassett.
Yellow Cards: McNulty (2), McMonagle (29), McHugh (31), Harkin (31), Tagbo (45), Foy (58), McMonagle (87).
Red Cards: McMonagle (87)
Referee: Andrew Mullally.
Attendance: 221.
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Jamie Doyle (UCD).
