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Date Time League Season
17 February 2023 7:45 pm LOI Men's Premier Division 2023

Match Report

LOI PD Report: Dundalk rue missed chances as Students earn a share of the spoils

Dundalk and UCD had a share of the spoils as John Martin's goal in the first half got Stephen O'Donnell's men off the mark before a stunning free-kick from Ciaran Behan levelled the tie as O'Donnell's side will rue missed chances for the home side.

Patrick Hoban will be counting his blessings that Martin's goal came minutes after the Dundalk striker missed a penalty with Lorcan Healy pulling off a fine save. UCD showed plenty of promise during the game with Ciaran Behan looking to be the next top target man for the students and his stunning free-kick was just a rewards for his endeavours.

UCD had the opening chance of the contest with Behan sending in a dangerous free kick but Nathan Sheppard was alert to the danger, it has plenty of pace and if Dundalk were not alert it could have posed a lot of issues. For Dundalk, John Martin and Lorcan Healy tangled for the ball right on the goal line with Martin's outstretched effort forcing a save from Leahy to push it behind for a corner. UCD were to concede a penalty when they initially conceded a free kick with Sloggett and Hoban standing over it, Hoban played a clever pass with a move from a Weghorst free kick textbook and UCD conceded a penalty after fouling in the area.

However, Pat Hoban's penalty was saved as Healy stretched out to the right to stop the striker from scoring his opening goal for Dundalk this season.

Dundalk did not have to wait long after that miss to open the scoring and against the run of play with UCD on the front foot but the wind was taken out of their sails with a simple but clinical counterattack. A fantastic run down the left from Louis Annesley as he fed the ball into the area with John Martin on hand to apply a fantastic finish to put Dundalk in front. Dundalk was to nearly double the lead with a fantastic burst of pace from Ryan O'Kane down the right and saw the winger put in an excellent cross to the UCD area. The ball was nearly met by the inrushing Hoban but it just flashed past him and wide.

There were calls for a penalty early in the second half with some great work down the left from Ryan O'Kane and John Martin tangled with Adam Wells and it looked as if the referee pointed for another penalty but it concluded with a free kick to UCD, Wells unable to continue following the challenge as it looked as if he jarred his knee in the challenge.

Moments later Connor Malley released Ryan O'Kane down the left and the winger broke into the UCD area but his effort flashed across the face of the goal. Dundalk were to be brought back level as a stunning free-kick from Ciaran Behan saw the ball curl past Sheppard and despite getting a hand to it the ball nestled into the back of the net. Dundalk will be disappointed at the manner of the concession of the free kick which Behan obliqued to exploit.

Neither side made a chance of note to clinch the tie and despite Dundalk’s best attempts, the students held firm to claim a great opening point of the season.  

2

Dundalk

1Nathan Sheppard Goalkeeper
2Archie Davies Defender
4Andy Boyle Defender
5Louie Annesley Defender
6Alfie Lewis 21 Midfielder
9Patrick Hoban Forward
10Greg Sloggett Midfielder
11John Martin 17 Forward 34'
16Hayden Muller Defender 84'
27Connor Malley 14 Midfielder 77'
28Ryan O’Kane 7 Forward
7Daniel Kelly 28 Midfielder
13Peter Cherrie Goalkeeper
14Cameron Elliott 27 Forward
17Keith Ward 11 Midfielder
21Paul Doyle 6 Midfielder
30Mark Byrne Goalkeeper
25Anthony Moyo Midfielder
32Oisin Coleman Midfielder
31Jake Hough Midfielder

UCD AFC

1Lorcan Healy Goalkeeper
2Michael Gallagher Midfielder
5Adam Wells 4 Defender
6Jack Keaney Midfielder
7Brendan Barr Midfielder 71'
10Ciaran Behan Midfielder 78'
11Alex Nolan Forward
13Jesse Dempsey Midfielder
17Dara Keane Midfielder
18Donal Higgins Midfielder 24'
25Daniel Norris 8 Forward
4Ryan Bowden 5 Defender
8Mark Dignam 25 Defender
12Daniel Babb Defender
14Harry O’Connor Midfielder
15Alex Dunne Defender
19Sami Clarke Forward
29Jake Doyle Forward
36Danu Kinsella Bishop Forward
20Sam Healy Goalkeeper
  • 90'

    FULL TIME: Dundalk and UCD had a share of the spoils as John Martin's goal in the first half got Stephen O'Donnell's men off the mark before a stunning free-kick from CiaranBehan levelled the tie as O'Donnell's side will rue missed chances for the home side. Patrick Hoban will be counting his blessings that Martin's goal came minutes after the Dundalk striker missed a penalty with Lorcan Healy pulling off a fine save. UCD showed plenty of promise during the game with Ciaran Behan looking to be the next top target man for the students and his stunning free-kick was just a rewards for his endeavours.

  • 90'

    Five added minutes here at Oriel Park!

  • 90'

    Coming into Full Time here, will there be late drama? Let's see !

  • 84'

    Two more changes for Dundalk as Daniel Kelly and Keith Ward come on for Ryan O'Kane and John Martin.

  • 80'

    Dundalk looks to the bench Cameron Elliott and Paul Doyle replace Alfie Lewis and Connor Malley with 11 minutes to play.

  • 77'

    GOAL: A stunning free-kick from Ciaran Behan and UCD are level!! It curled right past Sheppard despite getting a hand to it. We are level at Oriel Park.

  • 76'

    Connor Malley pushes Behan and its a free kick to UCD.

  • 71'

    A series of corners for Dundalk with Hoban being the target man but UCD clear their lines.

  • 68'

    Another change for UCD as Mark Dignam is on for Norris.

  • 68'

    Greg Sloggett with a long-range effort but his effort goes well over the bar.

  • 62'

    Malley released Ryan O'Kane down the left and the winger broke into the UCD area but his effort flashed across the face of the goal.

  • 60'

    Wells is unable to continue with Ryan Bowden coming on in his place. Wells went down injured with that tangle with John Martin.

  • 57'

    BIG MOMENT: Some great work from Ryan O'Kane and John Martin tangles with a UCD defender and it looked as if the referee pointed for another penalty but it's a free kick to UCD,

  • 51'

    A quiet first half, UCD started the brighter but Dundalk look dangerous on the counter attack.

  • 46'

    SECOND HALF: Dundalk restart the game and we are underway for the second half.

  • 45'

    HALFTIME: UCD by no means out of this one they have been very impressive in this half. Dundalk lead thanks to John Martin and Patrick Hoban will be ruing the missed penalty that was well saved by Lorcan Healy. A good lively start to the first game of the season and Dundalk leads.

  • 41'

    CHANCE: What a chance for Dundalk! An amazing burst of pace from Ryan O'Kane and the winger with an excellent cross into the area was nearly met by Hoban but it just flashed past him.

  • 36'

    CHANCE: Hoban with two bites of the cherry as his initial free kick and then follow-up shot is well-blocked down by the UCD defence.

  • 34'

    GOAL: A fantastic run down the left from Annesley who feeds the ball into the area and John Martin applied a fantastic finish to put Dundalk in front.

  • 26'

    The 8th penalty miss of his career for Hoban and the first since he also missed here in the 1-1 draw against Longford Town on June 18th 2021 (Vinny Perth’s first game back). His effort that night was saved by Lee Steacy on 74 minutes.

  • 24'

    SAVE: Donal Higgins on the break after he steals the ball from Hoban and his excellent placed effort was well saved by the Dundalk netminder.

  • 23'

    SAVE: Pat Hoban\'s penalty is saved as Healy stretches out right to stop the striker from opening the first goal for Dundalk.

  • 21'

    A yellow card for Ciaran Behan for the foul in the area.

  • 21'

    PENALTY: UCD initially concede a free kick and Sloggett and Hoban stand over it, Hoban with a clever pass from a Weghorst-type free kick and UCD conceded a penalty for a foul in the area.

  • 16'

    SAVE: Behan picked up the loose ball just outside the Dundalk area but his effort was well saved by Sheppard.

  • 13'

    CHANCE: John Martin and Lorcan Healy tangle for the ball and Martin's outstretched effort forces a save from Leahy to push it behind for a corner.

  • 9'

    Behan sends in a dangerous free kick but Nathan Sheppard is alert to the danger, it has plenty of pace and if Dundalk were not alert it could have posed a lot of issues.

  • 7'

    Dundalk has started the brighter here but not much to report in terms of opportunities.

  • 1'

    With Darragh Leahy's absence, Louise Annesley will take place in the left back slot of the Dundalk back four.

  • 1'

    KICK OFF: We are underway at Oriel Park and it was UCD who gets us underway.

  • There will be a minute's applause for the fans and members of the club at Dundalk and UCD who have passed away in the close season. One of which is Theo Dunne at UCD and Roy Mackin at Dundalk.

  • And here comes the teams - new hopes, new ambitions and new dreams Let's see what the next 36 games bring us!

  • Tonight's referee at Oriel Park is Northern Ireland's Arnold Hunter. The former professional goalkeeper has overseen full international matches and high-profile European games.

  • "The goalposts have shifted a little" states Stephen O'Donnell in relation to players' resources and has said that the club has to be a little bit more 'creative' in terms of player recruitment. He also states he hopes to bring in more players before Wednesday. He has also asked for patience from fans in relation to players bedding in.

  • Patrick Hoban plays his first game as club captain tonight. He goes into the new campaign seven shy of equalling Joey Donnelly's all-time scoring record for Dundalk. It's 10 years ago this Monday since he made a scoring debut for the club against Sheriff YC in the Leinster Senior Cup

  • Hoban makes his 225th start for Dundalk tonight. He has an impressive record against UCD – scoring 13 in 11 league appearances against them including a goal every time he has started against them but only once has he scored in a league opener - the 4-1 loss to Drogheda in 2014.

  • Stephen O’Donnell has never won an opening day match in his time in management – losing one and drawing two: 2020 – St Patrick’s Athletic 0-1 Waterford 2021 – Shamrock Rovers 1-1 St Patrick’s Athletic 2022 – Dundalk 2-2 Derry City

  • The Students’ last win in this fixture at Oriel Park was back in May 2013 when David McMillan (2) and Robbie Benson scored in a 3-2 win. Patrick Hoban got the Dundalk double that night. McMillan and Benson had an alright career from then on!

  • Tonight is league meeting number 61 between the sides tonight. Prior to the 2-2 draw at the UCD Bowl last May, Dundalk had won 9 league meetings in-a-row. Of the 60 games prior to tonight Dundalk have won 32, drawn 13 and lost 15.

  • There are four debutants in the Dundalk starting eleven tonight with Archie Davies, Hayden Muller, Louie Annesley and Connor Malley all making their competitive debuts. The fifth new recruit from the off-season, Cameron Elliott, is on the bench tonight.

  • Tonights UCD squad includes six of the side who started Wednesday's Collingwood Cup final win over UL.

  • Good Evening from FinalWhistle HQ - Ciaran Callan to bring you coverage of the first of the League of Ireland's season's games - welcome to the next series of Ireland's greatest football drama. The Greatest League in the World is back and I will bring live and up-to-date coverage from Oriel Park.

Past Meetings

(Round 30)
3 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl

UCD AFC 3-2 Dundalk

(Round 22)
3 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk v UCD AFC

(Round 14)
2 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl

UCD AFC v Dundalk

(Round 8)
2 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk v UCD AFC

5 - 3
eLOI

Dundalk v UCD AFC

0 - 5
LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl

UCD AFC v Dundalk FC

3 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk FC v UCD AFC

1 - 3
LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl

UCD AFC v Dundalk FC

2 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk FC v UCD AFC

2
LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl

UCD AFC v Dundalk FC

5 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Oriel Park

Dundalk FC v UCD AFC

1 - 4
LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl

UCD AFC v Dundalk FC

Ground

Oriel Park
Carrickmacross Road, Dundalk No. 3 Urban, The Municipal District of Dundalk, County Louth, Leinster, A91 RC44, Ireland

Ciaran Callan is a part-time sports journalist based in Dundalk, Co. Louth. He has more than 10 year’s experience working with media companies including both extensive radio broadcasting experience along with print and digital media reporting for the SSE Airtricity League as well digital media work with the national sports company eirSport. He joined FinalWhistle in February 2021 as is their main correspondent for Dundalk Football Club.