2 v 2 
UCD AFCDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 April 2021 | 7:45 pm | LOI Men's First Division | 2021 |
Match Report
Cunningham grabs late draw with UCD
In a game where every player gave everything they had, and quite literally ran until the 97th minute, Galway will probably leave as the happier side in their 2-all home draw with UCD.
There are encouraging signs for Galway who dominated large passages of the match, while UCD will rue the Padraic Cunningham goal conceded late in the game.
The Tribesmen dominated the early physical exchanges and had a high press on the visitors in defence and midfield.
20-year old Ruairí Keating, was at the heart of everything good that Galway did, and proved to be a constant danger for the students all over the pitch.
He was influential in their best move of the first half, where they played between the thirds and worked through the UCD lines.
For the students, Dara Keane was part of some very good moves and Liam Kerrigan showed what a dangerous player he is, due to his low centre of gravity, and his ability to switch direction at pace, creating space to unleash a shot that was saved by McCormack.
As half-time approached, the Belfield boys took the lead in a slightly controversial manner. Galway appeared to knock the ball out for a UCD substitution to take place, Ciaran Behan replacing the injured Luke Boore.
However, UCD took the throw-in and kept possession, with Harvey O’Brien crossing from the right wing and Colm Whelan jumped highest to head home for the visitors and lead 1-0 at the break.
Galway replied brilliantly in the second half. In their first attack, a Maurice Nugent header hit the post and Mayo man Ronan Manning reacted first to score.
Could they impose themselves on home turf to find a winner?
The tempo of the match increased as both sides really attacked the game. Galway’s high press almost reaped rewards, as they stole possession from a UCD kick-out but Hurley’s terrific shot was saved well by Healy.
With just 20 minutes to go, UCD scored from an O’Brien header and they looked comfortable afterwards as they looked to play out the game and leave with the spoils.
Galway made substitutions as they desperately searched for a goal, sending on Brouder, Cunningham and Waweru.
The added pressure told as four minutes later, a fantastic throw-in from Stephen Walsh was met by the head of Cunningham to level it.
UCD made changes as both sides chased a winner late in the game but a draw was probably the fairest outcome tonight.
Timeline
| 43' | Luke Boore Ciaran Behan | |
| Mikie Rowe Shane Doherty | 45' | |
| 45' | 11. Colm Whelan | |
| 7. Ruairi Keating | 47' | |
| 8. Shane Duggan | 50' | |
| 53' | 11. Colm Whelan | |
| Ronan Manning Colin Kelly | 67' | |
| 7. Ruairi Keating | 68' | |
| 70' | 5. Harvey O'Brien | |
| Christopher Horgan Killian Brouder | 84' | |
| David Hurley Padraic Cunningham | 84' | |
| Gary Boylan Wilson Waweru | 84' | |
| 6. Maurice Nugent | 85' | |
| 9. Padraic Cunningham | 88' | |
| 89' | Sean Brennan Adam Verdon | |
| 89' | Liam Kerrigan Donal Higgins | |
| 90' | 7. Liam Kerrigan |
Past Meetings
|
(Series 18)
2 - 2LOI Men's First Division
Eamonn Deacy Park Galway United v University College Dublin AFC |
|
(Series 9)
0 - 3LOI Men's First Division
UCD Bowl University College Dublin AFC v Galway United |
Ground
| Eamonn Deacy Park |
|---|
| Eamonn Deacy Park, Dyke Road, Terryland, Menlough, Galway City, County Galway, Connacht, H91 ET6N, Ireland |
Paul Regan
A sports nut who has coached at underage level in the League of Ireland. Passionate about domestic football.
A controversial decision as the referee gives UCD a free-kick, for something quite innocuous.
This game has a cup tie feel to it as both sides go all out attack.
Higgins comes on for Kerrigan as UCD go for broke.
Verdon comes on for Brennan as UCD look to hold firm.
Verdon comes on for Brennan as UCD look to hold firm.
Kerrigan stops a Galway break away and he goes into the referee's book.
At this stage, UCD might be happy with taking a point and heading back on the motorway. It is all Galway.
A fantastic throw-in from Stephen Walsh is met by the head of Padraic Cunningham and it is a goal for Galway. 2-2.
Galway have made substitutions as they pile on pressure for an equaliser. Brouder, Cunningham and Waweru come on
UCD win a corner. The header seemed to be deflected over by a Galway head. Andy Meyler is livid when it is called as a Galway kick-out.
Shane Doherty with a great chance in the box as Galway go long. He probably needed to volley that first time.
15 minutes to play, UCD are slightly on top here and look comfortable.
Keating shows strength, speed and power to cut in from the left but his shot is parried out for a corner.
Keating wins a header but it just goes wide, unfortunately for Galway.
From Kerrigan's corner, O'Brien connects with a header and now, they lead 2-1.
Ruairi Keating picks up a yellow card after a challenge on O'Brien
Manning comes off for Kelly.
We are paused here after Shane Duggan receives a heavy blow to the head going for a header.
UCD get caught playing out from the back, and Hurley unleashes a terrific shot from outside the area. Healy produces another great save.
Good movement from Kerrigan sets up Keating for a shot from range.
A good cross from Keating almost finds Doherty in the area but Healy clears it up.
John Caulfield is livid with the officials as Shane Duggan is called offside.
Galway look to get in behind with a ball over the top from Manning but it goes out over the endline.
The tempo of the game is up a notch as Duggan takes down Whelan and earns a yellow card.
Galway start brilliantly in their first attack. A Nugent header hits the post and Keating is the first to react. Goal for Galway. 1-1.
Second half is kicking off here now, with no subs on either side.
In a slighty controversial manner, UCD take the throw-in and play ball, Harvey O'Brien crosses from the right hand side and Colm Whelan heads to the back of the net. Half-Time. 1-0 UCD.
Behan come on for the injured Boore
Behan come on for the injured Boore
Luke Boore looks like he has come off worse in a challenge with Gary Boylan
Hervey O'Brien brilliantly intercepts an attempted through pass and plays into midfield. However, Galway smother the attack, and Kerrigan falls on the ball, handling it. That pretty much sums up the game so far. UCD defence is dealing with the Galway attack while Galway are dominant in midfield.
Manning is at the heart of everything Galway do well. He plays a perfect pass for Roe into the penalty area who turns his man, but his shot is turned out for a corner.
35 minutes played. Stalemate here so far as defences are winning out.
Manning's influence is clear on this Galway team. He was very influential in Galway's well worked move where they played between the thirds and worked through the UCD lines. Their cross is caught easily by Healy in goals, however.
Galway's high press is really working for them. David Hurley wins the ball back on the midfield line, sets off Horgan whose cross almost finds the outstretched leg of Keating in the box. Galway getting closer.
Gary Boylan wins the ball well on the right hand side but his cross is just over the head of MAnning and UCD clear.
Dara KEane dribbles through the middle of the pitch in what appeared to be a 3v2 situation. He tried to slip in Whelan but McCormack read it very well and defended it well.
Ronan Manning uses great technique to unleash a volley in the area, from a corner-kick and it hits the post and UCD are relieved to boot it away.
Liam Kerrigan is such a dangerous player, due to his low centre of gravity, and his ability to switch direction at pace, gave him space outside the area and he unleashed a shot that was saved by McCormack
As we reach the 20 minute mark, both sides have had half-chances, Shane Duggan with a snap shot from outside the area and then two minutes later, a good move through Dara Keane, almost finds space in the area but Galway clear.
A good move on the left, almost finds Whelan in space. Nice close control from Dara Keane within that move.
As ten minutes have been played here, Galway have definitely started better and Keating is called offside, his movement is very good.
Keating is almost sprung through the heart of the UCD defence, and he certainly looks a threat to UCD
Five minutes played in Galway. Galway are set up in a 3-5-2 formation as both sides have had periods of possession.
Welcome to the FinalWhistle.ie coverage of UCD v Galway.