League Report: UCD 0-2 Drogheda United

Jack Keegan reports from the UCD Bowl

On a stunning Spring night in South Dublin, Drogheda put some daylight between themselves and fellow relegation contenders UCD at the Bowl in a safe performance that saw the Louth side claim a 0-2 victory.

Andy Myler and his backroom staff made one change to the side that recorded an impressive draw away to Sligo. Sean Brennan came in at the expense of Jack Keaney, who sustained a broken bone in his left hand in training. A blow for The Students since Keaney has been a pivotal player in the centre of the park all season. Kevin Docherty swapped out Keith Cowan for former UCD player Evan Weir.

Chances throughout the first half were undoubtedly at a premium for both sides. Drogheda looked to target the space in behind the UCD wingbacks with Gary Deegan playing some sublime passes over the top but with little result. UCD reverted back to their old style of playing Colm Whelan as a false nine but to slim success as everything that was sent his way was eaten up by Drogs defenders Andrew Quinn and Sean Roughan.

The standout chance of the first half for The Students came from a 30-yard free-kick that was struck with pace and purpose by Dylan Duffy. Scotsman Sam Long leapt across the face of his goal like a feline and caught the ball, making it look like bread and butter save for the keeper.

The only other significant chance of the first half came from Drogheda player Dayle Rooney who received the ball 10 yards out from goal with his back facing Lorcan Healy. Rooney decided to do a sublime drag back, but it was just pulled to the left-hand side of the goal. An entertaining half of football but an apparent lack of quality in the final third from both sides.

The second half was a different story. The half began with Drogs player Ryan Brennan launching a monster shot from 30 yards out, but the shot was tipped over the bar by Lorcan Healy, who chose to be safe over sorry. The next chance also came the way of the Louth side with Dayle Rooney taking a free kick from 30 yards out, which struck the bar. The momentum was certainly in favour of the Louth side.

This proved to be the case when at the hour mark, the ball bounced up and struck midfielder Sean Brennan on the hand, which resulted in referee Adriano Reale pointing to the spot. In-form striker Chris Lyons scored this penalty and dispatched it with venom.

UCD needed to reply to Lyons’s penalty as soon as possible, but there was this atmosphere in the air that this game was slipping further and further away from their reach. The final nail in the coffin came when after a poorly cleared corner was collected by Rooney, and his attempted cross bobbled along the uneven surface, which then came into the path of former UCD player Evan Weir who produced a composed and opportunistic finish. The former UCD man had come back to haunt his former club. And by that time, it was too little too late for The Students.

This result leaves UCD with ten games without a win and in a very ominous position as Finn Harps are growing from strength to strength, and Drogheda have overcome their shaky start to the season and look more cohesive under Kevin Docherty. Drogheda’s next match is against Derry City at Head in the Game Park this coming Monday, while UCD will take on St. Patricks Athletic at the Bowl on Monday.



UCD: Lorcan Healy; Michael Gallagher, Alex Dunne (John Ryan 32), Evan Osam, Sam Todd; Dylan Duffy, Evan Caffrey, Sean Brennan, Donal Higgins (Lennon Gill 73), Liam Kerrigan (Alex Nolan 66); Colm Whelan.
Subs not used: Kian Moore, Luke Boore, Adam Verdon, Eoin Farrell, Mark Dignam, Adam Lennon.
Booked: None.
Sent off: None.

Drogheda United: Sam Long; Dane Massey (c), Andrew Quinn, Sean Roughan, Evan Weir; Gary Deegan, James Clarke (Ryan Brennan 45), Darragh Nugent (Luke Heeney 90), George Poynton, Dayle Rooney; Chris Lyons.
Subs not used: Aaron Davis, Colin McCabe, Mohammad Boudiaf, Keith Cowan, Dylan Grimes, Paddy Moore.
Booked: Dayle Rooney (54) Darragh Nugent (84).
Sent off: None.

Referee: Adriano Reale.
Attendance: N/A
extratime.com Player of the Match: Sam Long

 

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