2 v 3 
UCD AFCDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 May 2021 | 7:45 pm | LOI Men's First Division | 2021 |
Match Report
UCD’s undying spirit undo’s Athlone
In an exciting open game of attacking football, UCD perhaps shaded it overall, as their substitutions added an energy to their play showing great resolve to come back from 2-0 down against an impressive Athlone team tonight.
Athlone had raced into a deserved 2-goal lead but UCD clawed their way back into the game, scoring a winner in the final minute.
In a very exciting game of attacking football, both sides had a man sent off as they contested every ball in this match.
UCD perhaps shaded it overall, as their substitutions added an energy to their play, creating problems for Athlone. They displayed great resolve to come back from 2-0 down against an impressive home side. Athlone had raced into a deserved two-goal lead, but the visitors clawed their way back into contention, scoring a winner in the final minute.
Athlone attacked the game from the off and UCD suffered a slow start, as they often have this season.
The Midlanders broke the deadlock through Dan McKenna in the fifth minute, after Sam Todd failed to clear a cross. Athlone looked to control possession in midfield, and it wasn’t until almost the 20th minute when UCD looked threatening.
Dara Keane was taken down in the area, but the referee gave a corner kick. Liam Kerrigan and Colm Whelan had moments of individual brilliance to get good shots on target.
However, it was Athlone who grabbed the second goal of the game after good play from Wixted and Tlou on the right wing. Tlou crossed expertly into the area for Shane Barnes to head home from five yards out.
Within five minutes, UCD had replied to make a real contest of the game. Colm Whelan, with his back to goal, turned and ran at the Athlone defence, drawing in defenders before slipping in Kerrigan who finished to the back of the net. Doona and Hollywood continued to threaten UCD in wide areas and they both had good possession in the first half.
Within ten minutes of the re-start, UCD were level after Brennan turned his man in midfield, played to Kerrigan, who fired the ball across the area for Keane to score. UCD sent on subs and started to dominate possession in midfield.
Both sides had men sent off within four minutes of each other as Tumelo Tlou and Paul Doyle received their marching orders in the last quarter. The game ended with lots of end-to-end play as both sides showed ferocious intensity in their attacking play.
The UCD substitute beat his man on the right wing in the 92nd minute and after an initial great save from Schlingermann, Mark Dignam was there to fire home a winner as the students completed a remarkable comeback.
Timeline
| 5. Daniel McKenna | 5' | |
| 9. Shane Barnes | 24' | |
| 29' | 7. Liam Kerrigan | |
| 34' | 3. Evan Weir | |
| 5. Daniel McKenna | 36' | |
| 20. Tumelo Tlou | 38' | |
| 45' | 21. Paul Doyle | |
| 8. Kurtis Byrne | 50' | |
| 53' | 17. Dara Keane | |
| 62' | Evan Weir Evan Osam | |
| 62' | Luke Boore Mark Dignam | |
| Shane Barnes Jack Reynolds | 70' | |
| 70' | Eoin Farrell Michael Gallagher | |
| 70' | Sean Brennan Adam Verdon | |
| 75' | Dara Keane Donal Higgins | |
| 77' | 21. Paul Doyle | |
| 20. Tumelo Tlou | 81' | |
| James Doona Oisin Duffy | 86' | |
| 86' | 24. Adam Verdon | |
| 92' | 8. Mark Dignam |
Past Meetings
|
(Series 1)
2 - 2LOI Men's First Division
UCD Bowl University College Dublin AFC v Athlone Town |
|
(Series 16)
2 - 4LOI Men's First Division
Athlone Town Stadium Athlone Town v University College Dublin AFC |
|
(Series 7)
2 - 1LOI Men's First Division
UCD Bowl University College Dublin AFC v Athlone Town |
1 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl UCD AFC v Athlone Town AFC |
2LOI Men's Premier Division
Athlone Town Stadium Athlone Town AFC v UCD AFC |
2 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl UCD AFC v Athlone Town AFC |
Ground
| Athlone Town Stadium |
|---|
| Athlone Town Stadium, Old Rail Trail, Garrycastle, Athlone East Rural Electoral Division, The Municipal District of Athlone — Moate, County Westmeath, Leinster, N37 N1F2, Ireland |
Paul Regan
A sports nut who has coached at underage level in the League of Ireland. Passionate about domestic football.
UCD go ahead in the 91st minute!Dignam finishes a the ball to the net despite Schlingermann's efforts. 3-2 to UCD.
Substitute Adam Vernon earns a yellow card as tempers are starting to rise here with minutes to go.
IT is end to end stuff here as Schlingermann makes a great low save to block Colm Whelan while at the other end Doona almost sets up a great chance for Athlone.
Athlone have had a man sent off as Tlou gets a second yellow card. Both teams are on 10.
Paul Doyle has a rash challenge and earns a second yellow. Athlone are a man down for the final thirteen minutes.
Good play for Doona on the left wing almost creates an opening for Athlone
Both sides make substitutions as they look to make an impact at the end of this game.
UCD are starting to get their passing game going in midfield. Can Athlone respond to that?
Goal-line clearance by Athlone as Evan Osam's first play is to cross in a super ball for Whelan who almost pokes it to the net.
UCD are making substitutions as Osam and Dignam come on for Boore and Weir
As we pass the hour mark, UCD are readying substitutions as both teams continue to attack at any opportunity.
UCD are back level at 2-2 Good play from Brennan who turned his man well in midfield, plays in Kerrigan on the left of the box who fires it across for Keane to knock it into the net.
Doona plays an excellent ball over the top for Barnes who is beaten to it by Healy, just by a hair's breath.
Byrne gives away a free-kick in a good area for UCD and Luke Boore has a really good crack at goal but Schlingermann catches it at the second attempt.
Neither side are set up to defend. Both like to get the ball down and play so we should have more chances in this half.
We kick off for the second half.
At half-time, Athlone Town lead 2-1 in what has been a very entertaining game of football. UCD probably deserved to take the lead at the start as they placed fierce pressure on the Athlone goal. Athlone however, stood resolute and scored two well-taken goals. It has been a super game of football as both teams are offensively creating a lot of chances.
As we enter injury time, both sides are maintaining their end-to end attacking style.
This is an end to end game here. Tlou, who has been very impressive, makes a brilliant challenge, plays forward quickly and Athlone are almost in behind the UCD defence again in a 3v2.
Athlone play well down the right hand side and Hollywood tries to chip in a ball over the UCD defence for Doona but Lorcan Healy is alert to the danger.
Great play from Hollywood on the left wing as he beats two men and UCD clear the ball for a corner.
Great play from Doona who cuts it back to Hollywood. Super play from Athlone but Boore knocks it out for a corner.
Whelan, with his back to goal, turns and runs at the defence, drawing in the defence and slips it out to Kerrigan who finishes to the back of the net.
Wixted and Tlou did really well on the right wing. Super play from Tlou and Shane Barnes heads an easy header into the net from 5 yards. 2-0 Athlone.
UCD are really attacking here with menace. Whelan touches the ball in past the Athlone defence. Dara Keane running into the box appeared to be taken down but the referee gives a corner kick instead. Athlone breath a sigh of relief.
Liam Kerrigan picks up the ball 25 yards from goal and unleashes a terrific shot but it goes over.
Great individual play byWhelan as he nutmegs Cantwell on the edge of the box and shoots but Schlingermann makes an excellent double save.
UCD are pressurising Athlone now and they win two corners in succession, but fail to really trouble Schlingermann in goal.
From an Athlone Corner, McKenna has a great shot from outside the area and it could have been 2-0.
Ten minutes played here and it has been all Athlone Town so far. They have controlled possession in midfield and took their chance to go ahead. Clinical Performance.
A cross is not dealt with by the UCD defence and it falls nicely for Dan McKenna, who shoots to the back of the net. 1-0 Athlone.
Athlone hit the crossbar!!! Barnes plays a lovely through pass to Wixted, who seemed to stumble as he shot. Athlone are threatening !
UCD win the first corner kick of the match. However, Athlone broke away on a counter-attack, and in particular, Doona looks threatening for Athlone.
In positive news for UCD this week, Colm Whelan's excellent form has seen him called up to the Ireland under 21 squad.
Welcome to FinalWhistle.ie coverage of this highly anticipated clash between second and third place in the first division. I am Paul Regan and I will be guiding you through tonight's events.
Welcome to FinalWhistle.ie coverage of this highly anticipated clash between second and third place in the first division. I am Paul Regan and I will be guiding you through tonight's events.
Welcome to FinalWhistle.ie coverage of this highly anticipated clash between second and third place in the first division. I am Paul Regan and I will be guiding you through tonight's events.