FAI Cup Report: Treaty United 4 - 1 UCD

Michael Cooke reports from the Markets Field

Enda Curran’s hat-trick proved decisive as Treaty United scored a 4-1 win over UCD in the Extra.ie FAI Cup quarter-final at the Markets Field.

Willie Armshaw was also on the mark for Tommy Barrett’s men who were denied a clean sheet by Harry O’Connor in the closing stages.

Treaty dominated the contest overall and while UCD engineered a few second-half chances, the hosts were far more clinical and ruthless in attack.

Both sides operate at different levels, yet it was Treaty who played more like a Premier Division outfit and they almost broke the deadlock three minutes in.

Willie Armshaw collected a loose ball on the halfway line before embarking on a penetrating run, outpacing Sam Todd along the way.

His subsequent effort was saved by UCD goalkeeper Kian Moore and Curran sent the rebound over the crossbar.

UCD were finding the hosts hard to break down during the opening stages, but goalkeeper Conor Winn was eventually called into action on 23 minutes.

He parried Tommy Lonergan’s 25 yard-effort but recovered control to prevent Mark Dignam from pouncing on the rebound.

Treaty opened the scoring on 25 minutes. Armshaw was brought down inside the box by Evan Osam and Enda Curran converted the penalty for his 14^th goal in all competitions.

Curran doubled Treaty’s advantage 16 minutes later after pouncing on Sam Todd’s miscued clearance, his effort hit off both Moore and the left-hand post along the way as the hosts led 2-0 at the break.

Treaty’s scorer-in-chief completed his hat-trick five minutes after the restart. He rifled a half-volley to the net after UCD failed to clear Marc Ludden’s long throw.

UCD came close on 59 minutes; Sean Brennan connected with Dara Keane’s right-wing cross but Winn dives to low to keep out his effort.

The loose ball was collected by substitute Alex Nolan who’s cross finds Keane and his header deflected off Ludden for a corner which amounted to nothing.

The Students were awarded another corner four minutes later. Todd connected with Evan Caffrey’s delivery, but his header hit the crossbar and went out of play.

Treaty moved four goals clear on 76 minutes. Dean George and Stephen Christopher combined to set up Willie Armshaw who’s low shot found the net from inside the box.

UCD eventually pulled one back ten minutes from time. Todd’s long throw picked out Donal Higgins who’s cross was finished to the net by Harry O’Connor from six yards out.

It only proved to be a minor consolation for Andy Meyler’s men however as Treaty march onto the FAI cup semi-final stage.

Treaty United: Conor Winn; Ben O'Riordan, Callum McNamara, Sean Guerins, Marc Ludden; William Armshaw (Conor Melody 79), Lee Devitt Molloy (Matt Keane 88), Mark Walsh, Stephen Christopher (Joel Coustrain 88); Enda Curran (Success Edogun 60), Dean George (Joe Collins 79).
Subs not used: Jack Brady, Colin Conroy, Martin Coughlan, Darren Collins.
Sent off: None.

UCD: Kian Moore; Alex Dunne (Donal Higgins 54), Jack Keaney, Sam Todd, Evan Osam; Sean Brennan (Harry O'Connor 64), Evan Caffrey, Mark Dignam (Alex Nolan ' 54), Dylan Duffy, Dara Keane; Thomas Lonergan.
Subs not used: Lorcan Healy, Jamie Duggan, Bradley Rogers, Aaron Corish, Alex Nolan, John Haist.
Sent off: None.

Referee: Derek Tomney

extratime.com Player of the Match: Enda Curran