0 v 1 
UCD AFCVideo
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 May 2022 | 8:00 pm | LOI Men's Premier Division | 2022 |
Match Report
Kerrigan earns UCD first win of the season
A late UCD goal courtesy of Liam Kerrigan gave them their first win of the season in a bottom of the table clash against Finn Harps at Finn Park this evening.
It took 83 minutes until the score-line was broken after a tidy finish from Kerrigan.
The first notable chance of the game fell to Dara Keane after 8 minutes when the midfielder got his head to a Mark Dignam corner but his effort ended up wide of the target. UCD tried to push high up the pitch, but this left space for Finn Harps to exploit.
After 15 minutes the Students had their first warning. Under intense pressure from Filip Mihaljevic, defender Eric Yoro left his header back goalward dangerously short. Kian Moore had to be very alert to clear his lines in the nick of time.
Colm Whelan, high on confidence after his double against Dundalk last week, began to impose himself on the proceedings. After 17 minutes, the striker left defender Ethan Boyle on his backside after a direct dribble goalward but his effort was blasted over.
The Students had the pick of the first-half chances. McGinley needed to be alive after 25 minutes after Jack Keaney split the defence and found Liam Kerrigan deep in the home side’s half.
Still, with plenty to do, Kerrigan controlled it beautifully and managed to get a strike on goal. McGinley made himself big and pushed the effort away from goal.
Again he was sharp after 38 minutes, Liam Kerrigan delivered a free-kick from the halfway line. The delivery was headed towards goal and found Dara Keane. An excellent sideways kick from the midfielder directed the ball goalwards but was held well by the Harps keeper.
The introduction of Bastion Hery at half-time and the injury of UCD danger man Colm Whelan swung the momentum toward the home side. 10 minutes into the second half, a clash of knees left the young striker in severe pain and despite his best efforts to return to the action, the Ireland under 21 international had to be replaced by Alex Nolan.
The Harps managed to control plenty of possession but they were unable to meaningfully test the goal of Kian Moore. An impressive defensive display from UCD, particularly centre-backs Sam Todd and Eric Yoro proved difficult to break down.
Just as Finn Harps pushed harder for an opener they were breached at the other end. In the 83rd minute, Jack Keaney won the ball deep in the Finn Harps' half with some brave pressing of the ball. He fed Caffrey who crossed in towards Kerrigan first time.
The winger who had moved into a central position following the injury to Colm Whelan managed to produce a lovely finish into the far corner much to the shock of the home fans. A massive goal and result which has shaken up the relegation fight this season.
The win puts UCD just two points behind Finn Harps as we approach the midway point of the season. Following Shelbourne’s victory over Drogheda United, a win today would have put the Harps level with the Louth outfit in 8th place but instead, they find themselves just two points ahead of UCD who remain in 10th. For Finn Harps, they travel to Drogheda next Friday night in another massive game while UCD host leaders Shamrock Rovers on Thursday at the UCD Bowl.
Timeline
| 11. Ryan Rainey | 21' | |
| Yoyo Mahdy Bastien Hery | 45' | |
| 61' | Colm Whelan Alex Nolan | |
| 63' | 19. Alex Nolan | |
| Jesse Devers Eric McWoods | 65' | |
| 67' | Mark Dignam Dylan Duffy | |
| Regan Donelon Ryan Connolly | 73' | |
| 82' | 7. Liam Kerrigan | |
| Barry McNamee Luke Rudden | 84' |
Past Meetings
|
(Round 2)
0 - 0LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl UCD AFC v Finn Harps |
0 - 0LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park Finn Harps FC v UCD AFC |
1 - 0LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl UCD AFC v Finn Harps FC |
3 - 0LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park Finn Harps FC v UCD AFC |
3 - 0LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl UCD AFC v Finn Harps FC |
Officials
| Referee | Assistants | Fourth Official |
|---|---|---|
| Paul McLaughlin | Alan Sherlock Wayne McDonnell | John McLoughlin |
Ground
| Finn Park |
|---|
| Finn Park, Navenny Street, Stranorlar Electoral Division, Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District, County Donegal, F93 Y27K, Ireland |
Conor Paterson
Conor Paterson is a Dublin-based journalist and student. He is the former editor of the UCD newspaper, the College Tribune, where he is also undertaking an undergraduate degree. Passionate about football on and off the pitch, he is determined to promote UCD AFC and Irish football on the Belfield campus.
Full time 1-0! It has taken 15 games but they have their first win this season and what a time to do it! The relegation fight is still on for the Students!
Another close chance goes begging as Rudden finds himself with plenty of space in the UCD box but his effort is excellently blocked by Eric Yoro.
Close! Rob Slevin with a lovely cross from the left flank that finds McWoods at the back post. Somehow the substitute heads over the bar and he will be bitterly disappointed with that effort.
Finn Harps still cannot fashion any meaningful chances despite enjoying plenty of possession. One silver lining...6 minutes of additional time here at Finn Park!
Liam Kerrigan scores for UCD. Jack Keaney wins it deep in the Finn Harps' half. He feeds Caffrey who crosses in towards Kerrigan. Great finish and its 1-0!
Impressive goalkeeping from Kian Moore who punches clear a Finn Harps free that is launched into the box. Plenty of possession for the home side but lacking any cutting edge. Ryan Connolly is introduced, can he shake things up?
Eric Mc Woods is introduced as he replaces Devers. The Whelan treatment and its resulting break has taken a bit of the sting out of this game. The introduction of Hery has definitely given Finn Harps far more control in this game.
That didn't last long and Whelan is off. He is replaced by Alex Nolan.
After a lengthy delay, Whelan is back on much to the relief of the away side.
Whelan is down in severe pain after a clash of knees with Conor Tourish. This will worry the Students who don't want to lose their key man.
Excellent defending from Michael Gallagher. Deevers whips an excellent cross toward the back post. Gallagher is under pressure from the incoming Donelon but the former Harps man deals with it well, clearing the ball with a header before winning a free off the charging Donelan.
That half-time change has bolstered the Finn Harps midfield and will give Barry McNamee more licence to push forward.
Bastien Hery is the only introduction at half-time as he repaces Yolo Mahdy.
Colm Whelan gets us back underway here!
Half time and it's 0-0 here. Both sides missing some incisiveness in the opposition box. All to play for here in Finn Park!
One additional minute here
Pandemonium in the UCD box from a Harps corner as the ball bounces around from head to head. Eventually, Whelan is fouled giving UCD a way out.
Save again from Mark McGinley who has done well to keep things scoreless. This time Liam Kerrigan delivers a free kick from the halfway line. The delivery is headed towards goal and finds Dara Keane. An excellent sideways kick from the midfielder directs the ball goalwards but is held well by the Harps keeper.
Barry McNamee wins a free kick for Finn Harps. Slovin takes and delivers an excellent delivery. Dara Keane with a huge touch to head the ball over the bar with Ryan Rainey flying in to pounce. Mc Namee looks to be enjoying himself out here so far.
UCD show great composure to retain the ball confidently around the Harps box. This time Whelan combines with Kerrigan well who tees it up for former Finn Harps player Michael Gallagher who doesn't catch his long-range effort cleanly and slices it high and wide.
Jesse Devers fizzes the ball across the UCD box but Mihaljevic can't get his feet sorted and misses the cross. Both sides look threatening here as we approach the half-hour mark.
Great save by Harp's keeper McGinley! Jack Keaney splits the defence and finds Liam Kerrigan deep into the home side's half. Still with plenty to do, Kerrigan controls it beautifully and manages to get a strike on goal. McGinley makes himself big and pushes the effort away from goal. Lovely football!
Things are starting to open up here in Finn Park. UCD are trying to push high but that is leaving plenty of space for Filip Mihaljevic and Yoyo Mahdy to exploit.
Yellow for Rainey who brings down Dara Keane who was on the break for UCD.
Chance for Whelan. The ball bounces kindly to the young striker who charges at Ethan Boyle. On the edge of the box, Whelan's silky skills leave Boyle on his backside but Whelan blazes his effort over the bar.
Nervy moment for UCD! Eric Yoro leaves a header back to goal short under pressure from Filip Mihaljevic. Fortunately for the Students, Kian More is alive to it and just about manages to clear his lines
Former UCD man Mahdy brings down Keane for a free-kick after a late tackle. Another chance for the Students to get the ball into the box but after some pinball on the edge of the area, the Harps clear their lines. UCD will be happy to have established them well so far in this game.
Positive start from UCD as Kerrigan wins a corner for the away side. Dignam whips the set-piece in with pace and just about finds the head of Dara Keane who is off balance and the effort sails wide.
Things are yet to settle down here in Ballybofey. The harps have certainly looked to engage the young visitors physically leading to a handful of UCD freekicks.
The Harps get us underway!
Teams are out here at Finn Park, huge game for both sides!
Plenty of familiar faces returning to their former clubs tonight. Mark McGinley and Yoyo Mahdy both had stints at the College. On the other hand, Sam Todd played 74 league games for the Harps while Letterkenny born Michael Gallagher rose through the ranks at Ballybofey.
It's an unchanged lineup for UCD from their 2-2 home draw against Dundalk last week.
Finn Harps starting lineup is out and it's one change for the home side. Jose Carrillo replaces Erol Erdal Alkan. Meanwhile, Bastien Hery, Eric McWoods and Ryan Connolly return to the bench.
Good evening. Conor Paterson here welcoming you to FinalWhistle.ie for coverage of tonight's relegation clash between Finn Harps and UCD here in Ballybofey. Kickoff is the slightly later than usual time of 8 pm. Team news to follow.