- Andrew Dempsey
- Fri, Mar 08 2024
Andrew Dempsey reports from the UCD Bowl
Kian Corbally and Sean McHale combined for Wexford to secure their first win of the campaign over UCD at the Belfield Bowl.
Played in front of a crowd of 356, the Slaneysiders were in cruise control throughout and thoroughly deserved their success.
Corbally opened the scoring for the visitors seven minutes before the half-time break when pouncing on a defensive calamity in the UCD defence.
And the Students’ defending was just as poor for Wexford’s second when McHale headed home from a corner-kick.
Willie O’Connor’s side fought back however and grabbed a consolation through Eanna Clancy - but it was too little too late at that stage.
Making three changes from their opening night loss against Athlone Town, Wexford started the better of the two in a rather quiet start.
Striker Aaron Dobbs returned to the fold following injury, with Reece Webb and Sean McHale joining him in the starting XI.
But it was right-back Webb who enjoyed most of the action as he terrorised Adam Wells down the flank with a number of balls put into the box.
Such was Wexford’s dominance early on, UCD’s first effort on goal of the game came just before the half hour mark through Eanna Clancy.
But the former Sligo Rovers defender blasted his effort high and wide over the bar.
Wexford, however, were in cruise control at that point and were beginning to pepper the Students rearguard with a number of efforts on goal.
Darragh Levingston went close with an ambitious strike in the 32nd minute as his half-volley just went wide.
And just three minutes later they ought to have scored twice in one blistering attack.
Corbally was played in by an Aaron Dobbs ball but Kian Moore was equal to the danger, and the rebound fell kindly to Mikie Rowe.
The Wexford attacker was also denied by the feet of Moore - but Wexford were able to score just two minutes later.
Following some indecision at the back, Harry Curtis’ misplaced pass went straight into the path of former St Pat’s youngster and he then took the ball around the Students defender.
And with just Moore to beat, Corbally lifted the ball over the keeper with ease to give the visitors a lead heading into the half-time break.
Wexford doubled their lead just 12 minutes into the second half through debutant McHale.
The St Patrick’s Athletic loanee got his head on an expert delivery from Mark Hanratty to power home from inside the six-yard box.
That goal knocked the life out of the Students who started the second period positively, but they almost found a way back into the game moments later.
Lively winger Mikey McCullagh cut in from the right to shoot with his left-foot, but his clipped off the outside of the post.
But Wexford were in control and a goal would have come against the run of play.
Although, the Students were gifted a lifeline in the 81st minute when Clancy headed in.
The defender rose highest to meet Hugh Parker’s ball into the penalty area after the Students saw Ciaran Behan’s free-kick cleared.
The Students desperately went in search of a leveller in the final moments of the game but they were unable to find a clear-cut chance to equalise.
And in fact, Wexford almost scored a third in injury time through substitute Aaron Robinson, but Kian Moore did well to tip the ball wide.
The win ends the Slaneysiders wretched five-game losing streak at the Dublin 4 venue, while UCD’s wait for a home victory goes on.
Their last arrived in August in the FAI Cup against Cobh Ramblers.
UCD:Kian Moore; Ciaran Behan, Éanna Clancy, Niall Holohan (Donal Higgins 57), Adam Wells; Seán Brennan (Hugh Parker 75), Harry Curtis, Mikey McCullagh, Adam Verdon (Ryan McBrearty 57); Danú Kinsella-Bishop (Jake Doyle 57), Michael Raggett (Daniel Norris 82).
Subs not used:Dara Kavanagh, Harvey O'Brien, Sam Norval, Colin Bolton.
Wexford:Owen Mason; Ethan Boyle, Darragh Levingston (Brandon McCann 64), Benjamin Lynch, Sean McHale, Reece Webb; Kian Corbally (Kaylem Harnett 87), Mark Hanratty, Luka Lovic (Aaron Robinson 46); Aaron Dobbs, Mikie Walsh-Rowe (Cian Curtis 77).
Subs not used:Alex Moody, Carl Lennox, Cian O'Malley, James Crawford.
Booked:Luka Lovic (22), Aaron Robinson (50).
Referee:Daniel Murphy.
Attendance:356.
extratime.com Player of the Match: Reece Webb (Wexford).
