- Dylan O'Connell
- Sat, Sep 12 2020
Dylan O’Connell reports from St. Coleman's Park
UCD made a serious statement on Saturday with their First Division title aspirations with a 6-0 win over Cobh Ramblers at St. Coleman’s Park.
Goals from Yoyo Mahdy (2), Colm Whelan (2) and Liam Kerrigan, along with an own goal from Charlie Lyons, leaped the Students up to fourth in the table just three points off the top.
The result in East Cork also pushed Cabinteely into fifth place, three points from Cobh Ramblers who stay in sixth, just outside the play-off places.
Coming into the game the teams were level on points separated by a mere two goals with Cobh looking for their fifth consecutive win in the league.
Stuart Ashton named an unchanged team from Monday’s 1-0 win away to Shamrock Rovers II. Andy Myler made just the one change from Monday’s 3-0 loss at home to Galway United, with Luke Boore coming in for Evan Osam.
The Students, through Kerrigan, commanded the play from kick off. With each and every attack for UCD, he was there either linking up play or putting in the final ball. While he didn’t get the final touch for the opening goal, it was his shot that led to the deflection from Lyon’s that made it 1-0.
Cobh’s night went from bad to worse five minutes later when a seemingly benign challenge from John Kavanagh led to referee Mark Moynihan producing a second yellow and a red card.
The second half started well for the home side, who charged forward in search of an equaliser. This period saw a good spell in possession from Cobh, but their only chance went wide through a free header from Conor Drinan.
Ten minutes into the half and Mahdy doubled UCD’s lead. The forward nicked his ninth goal of the season after running on unmarked to fire cleanly passed Sean Barron.
The moment that turned the game on its head was a goal line clearance from Michael Gallagher. Cobh broke through Martin Coughlan, who had his shot saved by Lorcan Healy, and the defender knocked a follow through from Christopher O’Rielly off the line. UCD then countered and at the end of the move was Kerrigan, who tapped the ball in.
At the end of the fifth goal was Mahdy who turned in a cross from Michael Gallagher. The fifth came through Whelan who then made it 6-0 at the stroke of full time after turning in another cross from Gallagher.
Cobh Ramblers: Sean Barron, John Kavanagh, Stephen O’Leary (Martin Coughlan 60), Ben O’Riordan, Charlie Lyons, Ian Turner (Christopher O’Reilly 60), Dave Hurley, Naythan Coleman, Lee Devitt, Conor Drinan, Greg Henry.
Subs not used: Kevin Taylor (gk), Gavin Ryan, Jack Leonard, Darryl Walsh, Darragh Crowley.
Booked: Greg Henry (38), Charlie Lyons, Ben O’Riordan.
Sent off: John Kavanagh (37)
UCD: Lorcan Healy, Michael Gallagher, Josh Collins, Luke Boore, Harry McEvoy, Mark Dignam (Evan Weir 75), Paul Doyle, Jack Keaney (Adam Verdon 78), Liam Kerrigan (Eoin Farrell 75) , Yoyo Mahdy (Danu Kinsella Bishop 78), Colm Whelan.
Subs not used: Eoghan O’Sullivan (gk), Michael O’Keane.
Referee: Mark Moynihan
Extratime.com Player of the Match: Liam Kerrigan (UCD)
