3 v 1 
UCD AFCVideo
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 May 2023 | 7:45 pm | LOI Men's Premier Division | 2023 |
Match Report
Draper double helps Drogs to three points
A quickfire Freddie Draper double helped Drogheda United come from behind to earn all three points against UCD AFC as they won 3-1 at Weaver Park this evening.
Despite being firm favourites coming into the game, Drogheda were shocked early on to go behind after a great goal from Adam Wells. However, after steadying themselves from that early setback, Kevin Doherty’s side recovered and Freddie Draper produced two excellent finishes to reverse the tide.
A goal from close range by Dylan Grimes on the 66th-minute mark sealed the deal for the home side and moved Kevin Doherty’s side into 7th place in the Premier Division.
After some early half chances for the Drogheda, it was the visitors who struck first to stun the home crowd. It came from a UCD throw which they worked across the pitch as Jake Doyle fed the ball over to Adam Wells. The defender struck the ball beautifully first time with power and precision into the far right corner giving McCabe no chance and his second in two games.
The goal shocked the Drogheda faithful and the men on the pitch who were very fortunate not to concede two goals in just two minutes. UCD won the ball quickly after the restart and Adam Wells came down the left wing.
He found Jake Doyle in plenty of space just outside the area who struck it goalwards. Colin McCabe was all at sea but the woodwork saved the Drogs’ blushes.
Eventually, Drogheda managed to compose themselves as the half progressed. They had a good chance just after the half-hour mark when Brennan lined up a shot just outside the area. The shot deflected off Darragh Markey and almost crept into the net but fortunately for UCD, it narrowly missed the target.
The home side eventually got the equaliser in the 41st minute when they dispossessed UCD in their own half before finding Markey. The midfielder played a through ball was a tight one for the linesman who gave Freddie Draper the benefit of the doubt and the English striker made no mistake and slotted home. UCD definitely have the right to feel aggrieved there as replays appear to suggest Draper was in fact offside.
While the Students were left reeling, Drogheda capitalised and managed to take the lead. Again Draper converted after an excellent turn and control of an Aaron McNally cross from deep. There was no doubt about the second, however, and despite their hard work, UCD were left trailing at halftime.
After the flurry of activity in the first half, the second was a far more drab affair with few chances for either side. UCD made some changes early in the half which helped to give themselves a bit more of a foothold in the game, however, it was in this period that Drogheda got their third.
On the 66th minute mark, Aaron McNally’s long throw found Freddie Draper who helped the ball along its way into the 6-yard box. Dylan Grimes timed his run excellently and was first to react and got his reward by tapping home to wrap up the win for the home side.
The third goal really took the sting out of the Students who never looked like troubling the hosts again. Ciaran Behan’s rattling of the side netting and a long-range effort from Danny Norris was the most UCD could muster as the Drogs ran out comfortable winners in the end.
The win puts Drogheda a point ahead of Sligo Rovers who face Derry City tomorrow. Next up for Kevin Doherty’s side is another home game against Cork City as they look to make it three wins in a row.
Meanwhile, UCD lose ground in their battle to avoid relegation as Cork City picked up all three points against Shamrock Rovers elsewhere this evening. It doesn’t get much easier for the Students from here, they host St. Patricks Athletic next Friday at the UCD Bowl.
Timeline
| 19' | 3. Adam Wells | |
| 29' | 29. Jake Doyle | |
| 9. Freddie Draper | 41' | |
| 42' | 6. Jack Keaney | |
| 9. Freddie Draper | 43' | |
| 53' | Donal Higgins Michael Gallagher | |
| 57' | Alex Nolan Brendan Barr | |
| 10. Dylan Grimes | 66' | |
| 22. Conor Keeley | 70' | |
| 71' | Evan Osam Colin Bolton | |
| 71' | Jake Doyle Danu Kinsella Bishop | |
| 71' | Dara Keane Matthew Alonge | |
| Freddie Draper Adam Foley | 76' | |
| Dylan Grimes Michael Leddy | 83' | |
| Luke Heeney Matthew O'Brien | 90' |
Past Meetings
|
(Round 5)
0 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl UCD AFC 0-1 Drogheda United FC |
|
(Round 34)
2 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl UCD AFC 2-1 Drogheda United |
|
(Round 19)
1 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park Drogheda United 1-1 UCD AFC |
|
(Round 10)
0 - 2LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl UCD AFC v Drogheda United |
|
(Round 4)
4 - 2LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park Drogheda United v UCD AFC |
|
(Series 12)
1 - 3LOI Men's First Division
UCD Bowl University College Dublin AFC v Drogheda United |
|
(Series 3)
5 - 1LOI Men's First Division
Weavers Park Drogheda United v University College Dublin AFC |
1LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl UCD AFC v Drogheda United FC |
4LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park Drogheda United FC v UCD AFC |
2 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl UCD AFC v Drogheda United FC |
Ground
| Weavers Park |
|---|
| United Park, Cross Lane, Fair Gate, The Borough District of Drogheda, County Louth, Leinster, A92DKR0, Ireland |
Conor Paterson
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.
Fulltime here at Weavers Park as Drogheda beat UCD three goals to one. Match report on the way.
Corner for Drogheda who are in no rush to take it.
O'Brien replaces Heeney for Drogheda.
4 additional minutes here at Weavers Park.
Clock ticks away for UCD who have plenty of the ball but not creating much.
A Ryan Brennan effort at the back post is saved by Moore after a freekick finds the midfielder.
Michael Leddy is introduced as he replaces Dylan Grimes.
A great ball from Dayle Rooney down the left flank is almost finds Foley but ends up missing everyone.
The game has gone a little flat in the last few minutes but a tidy piece of play by Norris to drop the shoulder before firing the bar just over has warned Drogheda against any complacency.
No hattrick for Freddie Draper as he is replaced by Adam Foley.
Triple UCD change as Bolton, Kinsella-Bishop and Alonge are introduced.
Conor Keeley gets a yellow for a late lunge on Keaney. UCD ask for a red and the defender may be a little fortunate with that one.
Dylan Grimes gets the third! A McNally long throw finds Draper who helps the ball on its way. Grimes does well to time his run and is the best placed to finish the ball from close range.
Behan blasts the ball into the side netting after a lovely through ball from Barr. UCD have gotten more of a foothold in the game since their substitutions.
A shot from distance by Gallagher is parried by McCabe and Doyle is unfortunate that the ball is just too high to control right in front of goal.
Another UCD change as Brendan Barr replaces Alex Nolan.
Nice build up from UCD gives them a corner. Behan takes and finds Jack Keaney but his header goes over the bar.
UCD make the first change of the game as Gallagher replaces Donal Higgins.
After a great turn and a fair bit of fortune with a ricochet off a UCD player gives Draper a chance to feed Ryan Brennan in acres of space but the striker is turned the other way, much to the annoyance of the midfielder.
The ball is in the back of the UCD net again thanks to Draper but this time the flag is raised.
UCD get us back underway here at Weaver Park!
That must be a bitter pill to swallow for UCD after Draper looks to be offside for the first goal. However, they did not compose themselves and now are trailing after a battling half. Can they dig in and recover against a Drogheda side who are now full of confidence?
Halftime whistle is blown to bring to an end an eventful first half!
3 additional minutes here amid all the madness.
Draper again! WOW what a turnaround in 3 minutes as Draper is deadly in the box to put the home side ahead.
Must have jinxed it for UCD there as Drogheda equalise! Markey fed Draper who cooley finished but UCD are incensed as they are adamant that Draper is offside. Think Drogheda can count themselves very fortunate there
The home fans are still in fine voice as they urge their side forward. UCD are fairly comfortable but are taking their time and will be hoping the half time whistle comes soon.
Back underway!
Unfortunately, the game is paused as a drone flies over Weavers Park.
Close! Markey tees up Ryan Brennan just outside the box. His shot takes a deflection off his own man but narrowly misses the UCD goal.
A dangerous cross from Dayle Rooney causes UCD some problems but Kian Moore eventually pounces on the ball.
Jake Doyle is the first man into the book for a cynical foul on the breaking Ahui.
Great stuff from Ahui who wins the ball in midfield and drives forward. He slips in Grimes to his right but his delivery is caught by Moore. Freddie Draper not happy with the height put on the cross.
Freekick just inside the Drogheda half for UCD finds Harvey O'Brien but he can't get enough on it and its a comfortable one for McCabe.
Crossbar! Almost two in two minutes as Jake Doyle finds plenty of space to shoot. McCabe is nowhere near it but is saved by the woodwork. Drogheda all at sea in the last few minutes here!
Adam Wells stuns the home crowd! A lovely finish into the far bottom corner and UCD are one nil up!
Aaron McNally has been pushing forward a lot and wins a freekick for the home side. Dayle Rooney delivers but Ahui and Markey get in each others way at the back post.
Plenty of possession for Drogheda so far but UCD are committing plenty of players on the break.
Luke Heeney gets the first shot of the game and it requires a save from Moore. Draper splits the UCD defense and sets Heeney down the side of the box but his effort is saved.
Darragh Markey gets us underway here at Weavers Park!
After a run of 7 games without a win, Kevin Doherty's men pulled off arguably the biggest upset of the league so far with a 2-1 win over an in form Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium. It is a great opportunity to get two wins on the bounce today for the Drogs but will have to be wary of complacency against a struggling UCD side.
Meanwhile, Andy Myler makes four changes to his UCD side which lost 4-1 to Derry City last time out. Evan Osam, Dara Keane, Harvey O'Brien and Donal Higgins replace Jesse Dempsey, Michael Gallagher, Sami Clarke and Luke O'Regan.
Just one change for the Drogheda side who stunned Shamrock Rovers last Friday. Elicha Ahui was a doubt but has been passed fit to start this evening. He replaces the suspended Gary Deegan.
Good evening and welcome to FinalWhistle.ie coverage of tonight's SSE Airtricity League Premier Division clash between Drogheda United and UCD AFC. I'm Conor Paterson and I'll be bringing you live updates and a post match report after the full time whistle.