- Philip Morrissey
- Sat, Apr 15 2023
A first minute goal from Ciaran Behan gave UCD their first win of the 2023 campaign. It is now two home games without conceding which gives them further fuel in their bid to stay up. They held firm despite plenty of pressure to catch ground on their visitors.
It is another step back for Colin Healy’s side. They were caught cold at the very start and were unable to break down their opponents regardless of their possession. It leaves them still looking over their shoulder near the bottom.
Andy Myler was able to welcome back some of players who missed the defeat against Shamrock Rovers. Evan Osam, Adam Wells, Mark Dignam, and Donal Higgins all returned. They replaced Luke O’ Regan, Danny Norris, Colin Bolton and Sami Clarke respectively with Jake Doyle entrusted in the forward role again. Colin Healy made just the one change from their win over Dundalk. Daniel Krezic started ahead of Cian Bargary.
Both sides were seeking a good start, but it was the home side who went ahead in the opening minute. City were guilty of slack play out f defence as Jonas Hakkinen saw his attempted pass to Joe O’ Brien-Withmarsh robbed. Mark Dignam picked it up and laid it off to Ciaran Behan. He was afforded too much room and his crisp shot went right into the bottom corner.
The visitors were struggling to deal with both a difficult pitch and their energetic hosts. It was noticeable how their build-up play was laboured and slow allowing their opponents to get behind the ball and frustrate them. Daniel Krezic had some good moments as he attempted to hold the ball up for supporting runners but often it came to nothing.
UCD were proving to be a nuisance for the City defence and came close to a second following a corner. Jesse Dempsey played the ball back in after it was only half-cleared but Behan was only able to put his shot past the post.
It was tough going at the other end for Ruairi Keating and Cian Murphy who were forced to live on scraps. The latter fluffed a cross when well placed and just failed to reach a flicked header ahead of Kian Moore. The goalkeeper receiving a knock for his efforts.
Just before the break, the students had a legitimate shout for a penalty waved away. Dara Keane skipped past Cian Coleman and went to ground before he could get a shot away. The referee awarded a free out despite the protests.
The away side began to box UCD into their own half as the second-half developed. Substitute Tunde Owolabi had a wayward shot that seemed to have hit a divot before Murphy was unable to keep his header down from an O’ Brien-Withmarsh cross.
For all their possession, they were not really able to make Moore work much. The hosts almost landed the decisive blow at the other end. A long ball was played forward which landed at the feet of Behan. He worked some room before curling an effort toward to the corner of the net. Corcoran was just able to touch it onto the post before the rebound was skied over.
Despite the addition of five minutes injury time, the home side managed to hang on for a crucial win. It is a huge result for their hopes for survival this season as they move within four points of Cork. They will hope to build upon this as the travel to Sligo next Saturday at 19.45. City must try and pick themselves up as they welcome Derry City to Turners Cross next Friday at 19.45.
UCD: Kian Moore; Brendan Barr, Ciaran Behan, Jesse Dempsey, Evan Osam (Luke O'Regan 76), Adam Wells (Daniel Norris 73); Mark Dignam, Donal Higgins, Dara Keane, Jack Keaney; Jake Doyle (Alex Nolan 68).
Subs not used: Sam Healy, Harvey O'Brien, Colin Bolton, Sami Clarke, Harry O'Connor, Divine Izekor.
Booked: Donal Higgins (39), Jake Doyle (64), Jack Keaney (70).
Cork City: Jimmy Corcoran; Cian Coleman, Ally Gilchrist, Jonas Hakkinen, Josh Honohan; Aaron Bolger, Kevin Custovic (Barry Coffey 60), Cian Murphy, Joe O'Brien Whitmarsh (Darragh Crowley 84); Ruairi Keating (Tobi Oluwayemi 46), Daniel Krezic (Ethon Varian 84).
Subs not used: Aaron Mannix, John O'Donovan, Gordon Walker, Albin Winbo, Cian Bargary, Tunde Owolabi.
Booked: Aaron Bolger (19), Josh Honohan (86).
Referee: Adriano Reale
Attendance: 650
extratime.com Player of the Match: Dara Keane (UCD)
