League Report: UCD 1 - 4 Dundalk

Dundalk recorded their second successive 4-1 win on a Friday night after victory over a subdued UCD at The UCD Bowl in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.

The home side opened the scoring midway through the opening half after a strike by Gary Burke. Dundalk were level before the break thanks to Patrick Hoban.  Captain Stephen O’Donnell put his side in front before a third, an own goal by the unfortunate Mark Langtry. Hoban wrapped it up with a fourth just before the end as the Lilywhites went top of the SSE Airtricity League

The game sprung into life in the eighth minute as the Students snatched at a real opportunity. Robbie Creevy began the move by sliding a sublime ball behind the Dundalk defence.

That ball was latched onto by Cillian Morrison and the bustling striker drove to the end line before squaring the ball to Chris Mulhall. The winger had time but he skied it over the upright with the goal at his mercy. Although the Lilywhites had the lion’s share of possession in the opening quarter, it was the home side who took the lead midway through the half.

Once again it was Creevy who supplied the ammunition with a perfectly timed ball to Burke and the diminutive attacking midfielder made no mistake with the finish.  He sized up Peter Cherrie before electing to prod the ball past the Scotsman for his first goal of the campaign in just his second start.

Dundalk finally found an opening in the stout UCD defence on the half hour as Chris Shields’ long ball found Hoban, he rounded Conor O’Donnell but Hugh Douglas got back around to make the stop at the last. For all the possession the visitors had, they were deserving of the equaliser, which arrived two minutes prior to the break.

The impressive Daryl Horgan got to the end line and crossed for Kurtis Byrne, he headed goal ward and it was hacked partially clear by Douglas. It was retrieved though by Horgan and he crossed again. This time it found Hoban and he made no mistake, a bullet header into the roof of the net, leaving O’Donnell with no chance.

The combination that brought the opener for Dundalk was almost on hand to deliver a second moments into the second period. Horgan got free down the left before squaring the ball for goalscorer Hoban. He would have repeated the feat only for the vital intervention from last ditch maestro Douglas.

Pressure paid dividends for the visitors on 57 minutes as they deservedly took the lead. The move began with a crossfield ball from marauding right-back Sean Gannon. He found Hoban with that ball and he headed it down into the path of skipper O’Donnell and he smashed it into the net to put his side in front.

Just moments later, it got even sweeter for the Lilywhites faithful. A cross from the left by Horgan should have been hacked clear by Douglas. Unfortunately for him it cannoned off his defensive partner Langtry and past the helpless Students stopper for what was a comedy own goal, unfortunate for UCD.

Dundalk seemed content with their lot after that third and it was the men in blue who attempted to threaten. Creating chances was nil for them though as Dundalk remained resolute.

Things went from bad to worse with little over ten minutes left as Douglas’ busy night had a sour end. A foul on Hoban as he raced through brought an end to his night with a red card from referee Robert Rogers. Also quelling the Students momentum.

With four minutes left, the win became a rout. Having just entered the fray, sub David McMillan picked up the ball at the edge of the area before squaring it to Hoban for his second of the evening. That was enough punishment for UCD as they suffered a second successive defeat and Dundalk’s fine start to the 2014 season continued.

UCD: Conor O’Donnell; Gareth Matthews, Hugh Douglas, Tomas Boyle, Mark Langtry; Robbie Creevy, Robert Benson; Samir Belhout, Gary Burke (Dwayne Wilson 71), Chris Mulhall (Tom O’Halloran 80); Cillian Morrison (James Kavanagh 81).
Subs not used: Mark McGinley (gk), Michael Barker, Colm Crowe, Michael Scott.

Booked: Benson (19), Mulhall (38)
Sent off: Douglas (79)

Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; Sean Gannon, Mark Rossiter, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey; Chris Shields; Stephen O’Donnell (Ruaidhri Higgins 68), Richie Towell; Daryl Horgan (Darren Meenan 80), Patrick Hoban, Kurtis Byrne (David McMillan 83).
Subs not used: Gabriel Sava (gk), Simon Kelly, Mark Griffin, John Mountney.

Booked: O’Donnell (30).

Referee: Robert Rogers.

Attendance: 

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Daryl Horgan (Dundalk).