Video
Details
Date | Time | League | Season |
---|---|---|---|
7 October 2022 | 7:45 pm | LOI Men's Premier Division | 2022 |
Match Report
McDonnell shines as UCD remain bottom
Sligo Rovers produced a dominant display as they swatted away bottom-side UCD AFC 2-0 at the UCD Bowl this evening thanks to an Adam McDonnell double on either side of halftime.
Sligo Rovers started brightly and pressed the UCD back line intensely. After some half-chances, they got their reward by opening the scoring at the 19th-minute mark. UCD came under some heavy pressing when captain Jack Keaney misplaced a pass straight to Aiden Keena. The Sligo forward didn’t hesitate to drive at the UCD defence before slotting in the lively Adam McDonnell. The Sligo playmaker still had a lot to do but calmly chipped Moore to give Rovers a deserved lead.
The Students struggled to create any meaningful chances in the first half with many wayward and overcooked through balls. Sligo Rovers meanwhile, just 10 minutes after opening the scoresheet Keena once again fed through McDonnell but this time the College were saved by the offside flag. Chances were few and far between for the remainder of the half as UCD managed to get more of a foot on the ball but struggled to hold the ball in their attacking third.
Sligo started the second half, once again, the better side and got their reward when they doubled their lead just 10 minutes after the break. Once again a through ball was enough to unlock the UCD defence. This time Robbie Burton set up McDonnell again who cooley rounded Moore and slotted home.
While the Students managed to get a little more possession in the second half, it remained a quiet game for Richard Brush in the Bit O’Reds net. Dylan Duffy looked the most creative spark for UCD but still struggled to unlock a solid Rovers back four.
The only other incident of note was the sending-off of UCD manager Andy Myler, which is not his first dismissal of the season. The College’s manager cut a frustrated figure on the sideline, as did his young side who committed several fouls as the game wound down.
There was some good news for UCD, however. Their relegation rivals Finn Harps also fell to a defeat this evening losing 3-0 to Derry City in the Brandywell. This means it's as you were at the foot of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division with the Students trailing the Ballybofey outfit on goal difference.
Next up for UCD is a home tie against Drogheda United on the 21st of October where they will now be under more pressure to pick up points. Meanwhile, Sligo Rovers travel to Dundalk.
Timeline
19' | 17. Adam McDonnell | |
35' | Colm Horgan Lewis Banks | |
38' | Robbie Burton | |
Alex Nolan Donal Higgins | 52' | |
55' | 17. Adam McDonnell | |
Sean Brennan Harry O’Connor | 67' | |
Evan Osam Aaron Corish | 67' | |
17. Dara Keane | 78' | |
83' | Shane Blaney Kailin Barlow | |
83' | Niall Morahan Eanna Clancy | |
Alex Dunne John Haist | 85' |
Past Meetings
(Round 24)
0 - 2LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds Sligo Rovers 0-2 UCD AFC |
(Round 18)
1 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl UCD AFC v Sligo Rovers |
(Round 9)
2 - 2LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds Sligo Rovers v UCD AFC |
(2nd Round)
1 - 3FAI Cup
UCD Bowl University College Dublin AFC v Sligo Rovers |
0 - 2LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl UCD AFC v Sligo Rovers FC |
5 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds Sligo Rovers FC v UCD AFC |
0 - 2LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl UCD AFC v Sligo Rovers FC |
1 - 0LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds Sligo Rovers FC v UCD AFC |
4LOI Men's Premier Division
The Showgrounds Sligo Rovers FC v UCD AFC |
1LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl UCD AFC v Sligo Rovers FC |
5LOI 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 |
Full-time here at the Bowl. UCD AFC 0 - 2 Sligo Rovers. Match report to follow.
3 additional minutes here at the Bowl.
Seamus Keogh is introduced for Robbie Burton who has been impressive in midfield for Sligo.
Some UCD fans already filtering out here...
Robbie Burton with the latest effort which is blasted over after some great work by Aiden Keena. Double change too for Sligo as Barlow and Clancy are introduced.
UCD have tried to push on but are getting frustrated. Richard Brush has had very little to do so far. Dara Keane is booked for a late tackle demonstrating his side's frustration.
Red card and its for the UCD manager! Andy Myler has plenty of words for the 4th official and is promptly dismissed.
Double change for UCD as Aaron Corish and Harry O'Connor are introduced.
Liivak does well to tee up Keena after Caffrey lost the ball for UCD in the heart of the midfield. Moore gets down well to save.
Excellent work from Sean Brennan who demonstrated great dribbling to get his side up the pitch. He knocks it wide to Duffy who wins a corner with his ball into the box.
UCD have been anonymous this half and deserve to the two goals down. Improvement needed at both ends if the Students are going to get anything out of this game.
Once again the UCD defence is broken by a through ball and McDonnell again delivers this time by rounding Kian Moore.
Donal Higgins replaces Alex Nolan for UCD's first change of the game.
Chance for Sligo as Fitzgerald unlocks the UCD defence and finds Keena. The striker's touch is a little too heavy which allows Moore to come out and make an excellent block.
Sligo once again start the half on the front foot and win a corner. Pijnaker sprays a lovely ball wide left as Fitzgerald collects and feeds McDonnell whose cross wins his side a corner which eventually comes to nothing.
Will Fitzgerald gets us back underway here at Belfield.
Halftime here at the Bowl, the visitors Sligo Rovers lead 1-0.
Sligo Rovers' chances have dried up as the half progressed. Their latest effort from distance by Burton was never going to trouble Kian Moore.
Robbie Burton gets the first booking of the game after barging into the back of Dara Keane.
Lewis Banks is introduced replacing the injured Colm Horgan.
McDonnell is almost through again but this time UCD are saved by the offside flag as Keena once again drops deep and finds space to feed through McDonnell.
UCD struggling to offer up any meaningful passes that can unlock this Sligo defence. Alex Nolan is the latest culprit having dispossessed Paddy Kirk only to overcook his through ball.
Some good news for UCD as their relegation rivals Finn Harps also find themselves 1-0 down at the Brandywell with Michael Duffy getting on the scoresheet.
Goal for Sligo! The Rovers press pays dividends as they capitalise on Jack Keaney's sloppy pass which was picked up by Aiden Keena. The striker drove at the Students' defence before slotting through McDonell who calmly chipped in to open the scoring.
Save! Robbie Burton finds plenty of space and manages to pull off a fine dink over the top which Keena headers goalwards. Moore reacts well to tip the header over the bar.
First real chance for UCD as Paddy Kirk's misplaced pass is pounced on by Dylan Duffy who drives the Students forward. He finds Sean Brennan to his right who composes himself and gets a shot away but its a comfortable enough save for Richard Brush in the Sligo net.
First shot on target falls to the away side who have started brightly. Keena this time has a powerful long-range effort that is well held by Moore.
Adam McDonnell is playing in an advanced position for Sligo today. He is pressing high and already finding space between the UCD defence and midfield.
Excellent turn from Aiden Keena slots McDonnell through the left-hand side of the UCD box, his low cross is well cleared by Evan Osam.
Lonergan gets the home side underway!
Some light drizzle starting as we await the players to emerge. UCD can go the full season unbeaten against Rovers if they avoid defeat today and they really need the points!
3 changes for the Bit O'Reds as Robbie Burton, Niall Morahan and Will Fitzgerald replace Greg Bolger, David Cawley and Max Mata.
Teams are out here at Belfield. One change for the home side after the defeat against Bohemians FC. Sam Todd returns to the defence in place of the suspended Michael Gallagher who picked up two bookings last Friday.
Good evening from the UCD Bowl! I'm Conor Paterson and I will be bringing live coverage of UCD AFC vs Sligo Rovers and a full match report on full time. Kickoff here at Belfield is an hour away so standby for team news.