Drogheda United 0 - 1 U.C.D

UCD scraped a win at Hunky Dorys Park by the narrowest of margins as a Ciaran Nangle cross was bundled over the line by Cillian Morrison on the 80th minute. Until then it looked like Drogheda may hang on to grind out a scoreless draw.

Drogheda and UCD are much changed since last season with Alan McNally the only member of the 2010 Drogheda squad lining out in the Claret and Blue while UCD parted with no less than eleven players graduating the college.

Both sides played out an entertaining and high paced opening period as the finishing was the only downside to either teams' game. Despite standing at 5' 10 David Quirke was very solid in the Drogheda goal, the tiny keeper acted like a sweeper and showed no fear in coming to claim the ball on numerous occasions and was the standout player for the homeside.

UCD had the opening chance on seven minutes, an unmarked Dean Marshall slipped a ball through to Cillian Morrison and the striker hit a low soft shot at Quirke who used his legs to parry the ball to safety.

John Lester dominated Drogheda’s midfield play as the big midfielder seemed to look for the killer pass and on numerous occasions put in inch perfect crosses and through balls but the Drogheda offence were just too slow to react.

Yael Haro nearly opened the deadlock on 17 minutes as the former Drog found himself in space and hit a low shot from 35 yards out that had Quirke at full stretch but just sailed wide of the mark.

The Boynesiders first real chance of the game came on 21 minutes as John Lester broke down the left wing and hit a swerving ball into the UCD box but David Freeman was just a step too slow as the UCD centerbacks managed to head the ball behind.

Just after the half hour mark a mistake by Haro gifted possession to Dinny Corcoran who turned and fired in a shot from 25 yards out that had Barron stretching.

The Students countered almost immediately and nearly took the lead after a cross saw Qurike struggle and attempt to push the ball over the bar only for it to come back into his arms. The grateful Drogheda keeper collapsed to the ground with the ball in his hands.

UCD dominated the opening stages of the second half as two quick corners came to nothing with Mark O'Brien managing to get back and help out his defence.

Darragh Hanaphy was introduced on 58 minutes in place of Dinny Corcoran and the sub almost made an immediate impact as he found himself in space just outside the UCD goal. But his shot lacked conviction and failed to trouble Ger Barron.

Having gone behind the home side took the initiative in the final ten minutes and had several chances to level matters, John Lester going closest with a screamer which ended up in the side netting. But it was Drogheda’s inability to finish chances which cost them as UCD looked a far less superior side than the one that graced the Premier Division last season.

Drogheda United: David Quirke; Brian Gannon, Stephen Quigley, Alan McNally, Gareth Whelan; John Lester, Mark O’Brien, Stephen McCrossan, Philip Hand (Sean Skelly, 79); David Freeman, Dinny Corcoran (Darragh Hanaphy, 58).
Unused Subs: Cian Byrne, Jack Flynn, Darragh McNamara, Mark Nolan, Philip McDonagh.
Booked: McCrossan (86).

UCD: Ger Bannon; Sean Harding, Yael Haro, Mick Leahy Ciaran Nangle; Dean Marshall (Darren Meenan, 65), Paul Corry, Robbie Creevy, Ger O'Callaghan (Paul O'Conor, 65); Graham Rusk, Cillian Morrisson.
Unused Subs: Mark McGinley, David O’Connor, Thomas Boyle, Daniel Ledwith, Samir Belhout.
Bookings: None.

Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).
Attendance: 650 (estimate)
Man of The Match: David Quirke (Drogheda United).