- Rory Merriman
- Fri, Aug 02 2024
Rory Merriman reports from the UCD Bowl
255 spectators watched on from the Belfield stand as UCD and Wexford shared the spoils in an end-to-end 1-1 draw.
Netting for Wexford was Darragh Levingston when a heavy deflected effort had Kian Moore collecting the ball from the home goal.
But a wonderstrike from UCD’s Eanna Clancy early in the second half levelled the game and concluded the scoring for the evening.
A quick start for Wexford posed an early warning for UCD. An exquisitely weighted through ball off the boot of Thomas Oluwa met the path of striker Aaron Dobbs who couldn’t quite wrap his foot around the ball, pulling it across the face of goal and wide.
Moments later, another ball across the home goal met the head of Wexford talisman Mikie Rowe who struck the side netting.
But Adam Wells and Eanna Clancy stood strong throughout the first half and kept the dangerous Wexford forward line scoreless until the 42nd minute when Levingston’s strike deflected in.
Defending stoutly, Wexford’s well-disciplined press kept UCD shotless as the first half came to a close, despite the Students having the lion’s share of possession.
Despite a defensive exhibition from on loan Bohemians centre-back Divin Isamala, the Slaneysiders had trouble on their hands after the interval.
Against the run of play, UCD’s Eanna Clancy dribbled from centre field, beat two men and took a low shot from the edge of the area that snuck into the bottom left corner to level.
Sean Brennan came to life in the second half for the hosts side, imposing himself as a real threat going forward and tirelessly tested the Wexford defence.
Wexford appeared to have lost shape in the second half.
Ethan Boyle, who dominated the midfield in the first half saw his influence on proceedings wane along with Rowe and Oluwa hiding in the shadows of the commanding hosts.
Mikey McCullagh’s free-kick on the edge of the D was the closest effort on goal for the rest of the game as he powerfully thumped one over the wall skimming the outside of the Wexford post.
The final whistle of referee Lucas Keating echoed around the UCD Bowl to signal the end of the contest.
UCD: Kian Moore; Éanna Clancy, Niall Holohan, Luke O'Regan (Michael Raggett 61), Adam Wells; Colin Bolton (Alex Dunne 62), Seán Brennan, Ronan Finn (Adam Verdon 90), Donal Higgins (Sam Norval 84), Mikey McCullagh; Jake Doyle.
Subs not used: Dara Kavanagh, Stephen Mohan, Harry Curtis, Adam Brennan, Hugh Parker.
Booked: Luke O'Regan (27), Ronan Finn (81), Seán Brennan (88), Michael Raggett (90).
Wexford: Alex Moody; Ethan Boyle, Divin Isamala, Cian O'Malley, Lewis Temple; James Crawford, Mark Hanratty (Kian Corbally 60), Luka Lovic; Aaron Dobbs (Darragh Levingston 39), Thomas Oluwa (Adam Lennon 84), Mikie Walsh-Rowe (Cian Curtis 83).
Subs not used: Conor Walsh, Sean McHale, Reece Webb, Kaylem Harnett, Benjamin Lynch.
Booked: Luka Lovic (75), Ethan Boyle (77).
Attendance:255.
Referee: Lucas Keating.
extratime.com Player of the Match: Eanna Clancy (UCD).
