Video

Details

Date Time League Season
27 May 2022 7:45 pm LOI Men's Premier Division 2022

Match Report

UCD secure hard-fought draw with Sligo

UCD picked up a hard-fought and deserved point today's clash against Sligo Rovers at the UCD Bowl.

A Karl O’Sullivan header from close range gave the Bit O’Reds the lead before a Dylan Duffy header equalised for the College.

After a quiet opening 15 minutes in which neither team could establish control over proceedings, the visiting Sligo Rovers fans had their hearts in their mouths courtesy of a defensive mix up.

Suddenly, UCD winger Liam Kerrigan found himself in possession just outside the penalty area. Goalkeeper Ed McGinty was forced to make an excellent sliding tackle outside his area before Kerrigan had a chance to capitalise.

For much of the half, neither team could win the midfield battle. Niall Morahan and particularly Adam McDonnell were pushing high for the visitors as was Evan Caffrey for UCD. The result was both teams being forced to play long balls forward which never looked like troubling the opposing defence.

We had to wait until the 38th minute before the first major effort on goal came. A defensive error by Shane Blaney while attempting to control the ball in his penalty area forced the defender to slip and allowed UCD striker Dylan Duffy to burst towards goal with just the keeper to beat. Once again Ed McGinty was reliable as he got down low to block the effort on goal with his feet.

It wasn’t long before Sligo had their first effort on target. Striker Aiden Keena found space for a shot just outside the UCD penalty area.

The blistering effort was impressively held by Kian Moore. Keena had another effort blocked by Sam Todd minutes later after he showed great skill to beat Eric Yoro on the left flank before cutting inside.

The second half proved to be a far more entertaining affair with drama throughout. It took just nine minutes after the restart for Sligo Rovers to open the scoresheet.

After Kian Moore once again produced a fine save, Sligo winger Karl O’Sullivan was first to react and managed to head the ball into the back of the net.

Despite looking like they could double their lead after the opener, it was UCD who managed to score next and level the proceedings. After failing to convert in the first half, Dylan Duffy made no mistake the second time around when his fine header beat Ed McGinty in the Sligo net.

As both sides pushes for the all-important winner the game was interrupted by some lengthy stoppages.

Firstly, referee David Dunne was struck by the ball from close range. After some medical attention, Dunne was unable to continue and was stretchered off before being replaced by the 4th official.

Minutes later, substitute Thomas Lonergan who looked impressive after being introduced was forced off after a clash with McGinty. These delays broke up the rhythm of the play and meant there was a very lengthy 10 minutes of additional time awarded.

It was the home side who looked most likely to find the breakthrough in the dying moments. Alex Nolan had a close-range shot blocked which proved to be the best chance of a frantic injury time for the Students.

Despite their energy and determination for a winner, the College lacked a little composure and patience around the Sligo penalty area.

While both sides could feel a little disappointed with just a point, overall a draw was a fair outcome here at the Bowl. Next up for UCD after the short summer break is an important visit to Drogheda United while Sligo Rovers host Dundalk.

UCD AFC

2Michael Gallagher Defender
3Evan Osam Defender
6Jack Keaney Midfielder
7Liam Kerrigan 18 Midfielder
8Mark Dignam 27 Defender
9Evan Caffrey Forward
11Dylan Duffy Midfielder 68'
77'
16Kian Moore Goalkeeper
17Dara Keane 30 Midfielder
22Sam Todd Defender
29Eric Yoro Defender
Jamie Duggan Defender
1Lorcan Healy Goalkeeper
14Eoin Farrell 27 Forward
18Donal Higgins 7 Midfielder
26John Ryan Midfielder
27Tommy Lonergan 14 Midfielder
30Alex Nolan 17 Midfielder 89'
26Matthew Scott Midfielder
24Keelan Byrne Defender

Sligo Rovers

1Ed McGinty Goalkeeper
3Colm Horgan 2 Defender
4Shane Blaney Defender
6Greg Bolger Midfielder
7Will Fitzgerald 25 Midfielder
8Niall Morahan Midfielder
9Aidan Keena Forward
14Karl O’Sullivan 11 Forward 54'
17Adam McDonnell Midfielder
19Paddy Kirk Defender
26Garry Buckley Midfielder
2Lewis Banks 3 Defender
5Robbie McCourt Defender
10Jordan Hamilton Forward
11Seamas Keogh 14 Midfielder
12Mark Byrne Midfielder
22David Cawley Midfielder
25Cillian Heaney 7 Forward
28Nando Pijnaker Defender
30Richard Brush Goalkeeper
  • 99'

    Full time 1-1... exciting finish but the points are shared! Match report to follow.

  • 95'

    UCD bringing all the energy and determination to get the winner here but perhaps lacking the composure to convert this into a win so far.

  • 90'

    As expected there is a long amount of injury time awarded of 10 minutes.

  • 85'

    Kian Moore is once again to the rescue as Adam Mc Donnell shoots from range after being cleverly set up by Seamus Keogh. The shot is tipped over by the UCD man.

  • 83'

    Back underway here...can either side win this???

  • 78'

    Thomas Lonergan is down after being clattered by Ed McGinty who heads clear an awkward ball on the edge of his area before making contact with the UCD substitute.

  • 75'

    UCD have been encouraged by their goal and are pushing forward with vigour. Three changes for the hosts sees the introduction of Higgins, Lonergan and Nolan.

  • 68'

    I take it back...UCD are level! Striker Dylan Duffy with a fine header means it's all to play for!

  • 65'

    The Bit O'Reds are looking increasingly likely to double their lead here. This tie Fitzgerald and O'Donnell combine with the centre-midfielder seeing his pass across the face of goal narrowly missing Keena who was following in.

  • 61'

    The crowd applauds as David Dunne is stretchered off here at the Bowl. The game is just about to restart.

  • 58'

    A break in play here as the referee David Dunne was struck by a ball and is down for treatment. The 4th official is getting ready to take over duties. Meanwhile, Lewis Banks is introduced for Sligo as he replaces Colm Horgan

  • 54'

    Goal for Sligo Rovers! Aidan Keena beats Evan Osan and drills an effort goalwards which is saved really well by Kian Moore. However, Karl O'Sullivan is first to react and headers the ball home from close range.

  • 48'

    Caretaker boss John Russell is encouraging his Sligo side here on the touchline who have started the second half as the better side. The Bit O'Reds are confidently retaining possession so far but the travelling fans are getting frustrated with the lack of attacking play.

  • 45'

    Dylan Duffy gets us back underway! No changes for either side.

  • 45'

    Half time here at the Bowl and its scoreless.

  • 43'

    Keena draws Eric Yoro wide before beating the UCD centre-back and cutting inside. His drilled effort goalward is well blocked by the solid Sam Todd.

  • 40'

    Blistering strike from Aiden Keena on the edge of the box forces an excellent save out of Kian Moore in the UCD goal. The young goalkeeper does really well not catch the ball outright. The game is starting to open up here at the Bowl.

  • 38'

    Chance! Shane Blaney slips while trying to control a ball in his own box leaving Duffy one on one in front of goal. An excellent save from McGinty denies the striker an opener.

  • 36'

    O'Sullivan and McDonnell combine beautifully to win a corner for Sligo which comes to nothing

  • 30'

    Liam Kerrigan wins the ball in the midfield and drives at the Sligo defence before blasting his effort well over the bar from over 30 yards out.

  • 29'

    Neither side has truly won the midfield battle so far resulting in plenty of wasteful long balls from both teams.

  • 23'

    Midway through the first half and UCD will be happy. They dealt with some early intensity from Sligo and now are on the front foot. Neither team have yet to fashion any meaningful openings, however.

  • 16'

    Great goalkeeping from Ed McGinty who cleans up a defensive mix up by tackling Liam Kerrigan outside his box. Excellent stuff by the young goalkeeper.

  • 12'

    Both Dylan Duffy and Liam Kerrigan are drawing fouls and giving UCD plenty of set-piece opportunities deep in the Sligo half none of which have come to anything so far.

  • 8'

    The game has yet to settle here but the visitors are bringing some intensity to the proceedings and not letting UCD play the ball around on the ground. The midfield duo of Niall Morahan and Adam McDonnell in particular are pushing high for the visitors and trying to keep Sligo on the front foot.

  • 3'

    Late crunching tackle from Dylan Duffy on Sligo goalkeeper Ed McGinty earns the UCD man a stern talking to from David Dunne the referee today. One of those ones that Duffy is spared a yellow so early in the game. Otherwise its a very positive start from Sligo.

  • The visitors get us underway!

  • Hard to believe after just one league win and none here in Belfield that UCD could move off bottom spot with a win tonight if Finn Harps lose their trip to the Brandywell to face Derry City. Meanwhile, Sligo are looking to strengthen their hold on 5th spot in the Premier Division with a victory this evening. Kickoff is just 10 minutes away here at the Bowl...

  • Team news is out and it's an unchanged starting 11 for both sides.

  • Cracking evening here at the UCD Bowl, ideal football conditions as the players slowly filter out to begin their pre-match warm ups. Standby for team news here from Belfield.

  • Good evening and welcome to FinalWhistle.ie coverage of tonight's clash between UCD AFC and Sligo Rovers. I'm Conor Paterson and I will be bringing you live updates throughout and a match report after the game.

Past Meetings

(Round 9)
2 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers v UCD AFC

(2nd Round)
1 - 3
FAI Cup
UCD Bowl

University College Dublin AFC v Sligo Rovers

0 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl

UCD AFC v Sligo Rovers FC

5 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v UCD AFC

0 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl

UCD AFC v Sligo Rovers FC

1 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v UCD AFC

4
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v UCD AFC

1
LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl

UCD AFC v Sligo Rovers FC

5
LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds

Sligo Rovers FC v UCD AFC

Ground

UCD Bowl
UCD Bowl, Greenfield Park, Greenfield, Roebuck, Clonskeagh-Belfield ED, Dublin, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, County Dublin, Leinster, D04 XT65, Ireland

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.