UCD 3 - 1 Dundalk

Credit:

UCD produced a brilliant display to beat Airtricity Premier Division leaders Dundalk 3-1 on a cold night at the UCD Bowl.

In the early stages of the game both sides had half chances but neither troubling the goalkeepers.

It was the 13th minute when UCD made the broke the deadlock when Chris Mulhall’s corner was met by the head of David McMillan who gave Peter Cherrie in the Dundalk goal no chance.

Three minutes later and Ciaran Kilduff made it two for the Students. Ireland under 23 international Greg Bolger played a nice pass to the UCD front man who fired it past Cherrie.

UCD kept possession well while Dundalk gave the ball away cheaply and couldn’t string two passes together.

The Students should have gone three up in the 32nd minute but for a brilliant save by Cherrie. Kilduff found himself free inside the Dundalk box and fired a shot but the Dundalk netminder tipped it onto the bar.

Five minutes later the visiting fans finally had something to cheer about when Fahrudin Kuduzovic’s left foot drive beat Billy Brennan.

That seemed to give Dundalk a bit of a lifeline until UCD restored their two goal advantage just before half-time. Great hold up play by Kilduff who played the ball to Mulhall who then played a brilliant pass to Paul Corry who finished off the best move of the match.

The second half seemed to be a non event with neither side really creating any chances. Dundalk had a free-kick in the 85th minute just outside the UCD box but substitute Alan Cawley blazed over.

Two minutes later Shaun Kelly cleared the ball off the line after a quick counter attack by UCD.

Dundalk lacked the quality and the creativity on the night to break down a well organised UCD side who showed yet again that they are able to compete in this league. Despite the loss Dundalk remain leaders of the Airtricity Premier Division.

UCD: Billy Brennan, Sean Harding, Ciaran Nangle, Brian Shorthall, Evan McMillan, Greg Bolger, Keith Ward, Paul Corry, Ciaran Kilduff,(Graham Rusk 88) Chris Mulhall, David McMillan ( Robbie Creevy 65)
Subs: Micheal Leahy, Dwayne Wilson, Ger Barron

Dundalk: Peter Cherrie, Shaun Kelly, Wayne Hatswell, Tom Miller, Garry Breen, Stephen Maher, Fahrudin Kuduzovic, Neal Fenn, Nathan Murphy( Ciaran McGuigan 53), JJ Melligan, Micheal McGowan( Alan Cawley 62)
Subs: Tiernan Mulvenna, Johnny Breen, Matt Gregg
Yellow Card: JJ Melligan (Dundalk)

Extratime.ie man of the match: Keith Ward (UCD)
Attendance: 464