UCD's Yoyo Mahdy pleased as the Students earn their first league win since July

Andrew Dempsey reports from the UCD Bowl

UCD secured their first win of the season on Friday evening as they saw off Cobh Ramblers through Yoyo Mahdy’s late winner.

The clash saw the Students secure their first league win since July when they defeated Bohemians at the Belfield Bowl.

“It was nice to get the win on the board – our first win in the league since July,” Mahdy told extratime.ie.  

“We went through a bit of a rough patch in the summer with everyone leaving and rebuilding and getting our feet back on the ground but today was a real sign of our character and I thought we were really good.

“There has been a lot of change here. A lot of players have gone, graduated, finished and moved on. We have a lot of young lads coming in as well.

“You saw Evan Weir in his second game for us and I thought he did really well. We’re always going to be a young team and I think we’re going to do well this season.”

With 77 appearances to his name with UCD – Mahdy has now found himself catapulted into the role of a senior player with the club at just 22 years of age.

“I was only saying that to the lads there (he laughs)! I’ve got the second most appearances on the team now, and I’m only 22 as well.

“In a way it’s good with the experience I have that I can talk to the younger players but at the same time I do feel really young and I’m not sure if I’m used to the weight on my shoulders.”



But looking ahead to 2020 – Mahdy is hopeful his side can prove the doubters wrong as they did in 2018.

“People will write us off right from the off,” he added. “They won’t think we have anything to offer but we showed tonight that we can battle and win games.

“Drogheda are always a good side, especially this year – they’re one of the favourites to win (the league) the First Division.

“We know it’s going to be a tough game so if we apply ourselves, I think we can get a good result out there.”