Video
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 April 2023 | 7:45 pm | LOI Men's Premier Division | 2023 |
Match Report
Behan Stuns Cork In Relegation Dogfight
A goal after just one minute was enough to give UCD a 1-0 win and their first three points of the season as they hosted Cork City at the UCD Bowl this evening.
After sloppy play from the Cork midfield, Dignam pounced to feed Behan who produced an excellent finish.
Despite a win earlier in the week, Cork City were very disappointing and managed to create very few chances in the remainder of the game. Andy Myler will be delighted with the first win of the 2023 season and will hope the result can spur on a long-awaited survival push.
UCD had a dream start having opened the scoring in the first minute. Mark Dignam dispossessed Whitmarch deep in the Cork half before a skilful turn of Aaron Bolger. The midfielder then found Ciaran Behan to his right. The UCD winger is dangerous from range and this time he didn't disappoint. He accurately placed the shot to the left of Corcoran giving the keeper no chance.
The early goal had the Cork defence on edge for the remainder of the half and were not much much better in attack. The visitors could only muster half chances. Firstly some tidy play down the left flank from Krezic found Whitmarch in the UCD box. With his back-to-goal in the area, the 17-year-old set up Murphy for a shot that was drilled at Moore.
Cork's best chance of the half came in the run-up to the interval when Custovic found Keating in the box with an excellent cross from deep. It wasn’t an easy delivery to control and Keating was unable to get it set for a shot before Kian Moore rushed out to collect the ball.
Meanwhile, Cork were sloppy in defence after the early goal. Bolger and Coleman were dispossessed several times deep in their half and Behan almost added a second after the visitors were unable to deal with two corners. On the second attempt, the ball dropped kindly to the UCD winger who shot narrowly wide.
In the dying moments of the half UCD had a penalty appeal in which Dara Keane went down under pressure from Coleman. Despite the challenge dominating the half-time discussions, the referee deemed there not to be enough contact and awarded a free kick to Cork for a subsequent handball.
Babatunde Owolabi was introduced in place of Keating at the break and Healy introduced a number of changes as the half progressed but nothing could unlock the UCD defence. The visitors were afforded more possession in the second half but could not fashion any meaningful chances.
In fact, the best effort of the second half came to UCD through the goalscorer Behan. The winger pounced on a Cork clearance and found himself in a similar position to where he struck his opener. He went to the far post once again only to be denied by the post on this occasion.
Colin Healy will be very disappointed his side could not back up their win on Monday night and will also be very concerned that his side didn’t look like scoring all evening against the league's bottom side.
Meanwhile, it's a massive three points for UCD who move four points behind Cork who remain in 9th place. Next up for the Students is a trip to the Showgrounds next Saturday to face Sligo Rovers while the Rebel Army host Derry City on Friday night.
Timeline
| 10. Ciaran Behan | 1' | |
| 19' | 16. Aaron Bolger | |
| 13. Donal Higgins | 38' | |
| 45' | Ruairi Keating Babatunde Owolabi | |
| 60' | Kevin Čustović Barry Coffey | |
| 29. Jake Doyle | 65' | |
| Jake Doyle Alex Nolan | 68' | |
| 6. Jack Keaney | 70' | |
| Adam Wells Daniel Norris | 73' | |
| Evan Osam Luke O'Regan | 79' | |
| 82' | Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh Darragh Crowley | |
| 82' | Daniel Krezic Ethon Varian | |
| 87' | 2. Joshua Honohan |
Past Meetings
 
(Round 3)
4 - 0LOI Men's Premier Division
Turner's Cross Cork City FC 4-0 UCD AFC |
|
(Series 26)
1 - 0LOI Men's First Division
UCD Bowl University College Dublin AFC v Cork City |
|
(Series 17)
1 - 1LOI Men's First Division
Turner's Cross Cork City v University College Dublin AFC |
|
(Series 8)
0 - 0LOI Men's First Division
UCD Bowl University College Dublin AFC v Cork City |
3 - 2LOI Men's Premier Division
Turner's Cross Cork City FC v UCD AFC |
0 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl UCD AFC v Cork City FC |
2 - 0LOI Men's Premier Division
Turner's Cross Cork City FC v UCD AFC |
2 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl UCD AFC v Cork City FC |
4LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl UCD AFC v Cork City FC |
2 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Turner's Cross Cork City FC v UCD AFC |
1LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl UCD AFC v Cork City FC |
Ground
| UCD Bowl |
|---|
| UCD Bowl, Greenfield Park, Greenfield, Roebuck, Clonskeagh-Belfield ED, Dublin, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, County Dublin, Leinster, D04 XT65, 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 and UCD get their first win of the season! Match report to follow.
Excellent play by Barr wins UCD a free after some intense pressure.
Bolger wins Cork a freekick in a dangerous position after a foul by Dignam. His delivery is punched clear by Moore.
Five additional minutes here at the Bowl so more time for the Rebel Army to get something out of the game.
Pause in play here as Owolabi is down with a nasty-looking head injury. Important time for UCD to compose themselves.
Cork are cutting a frustrated side as they are committing a number of fouls. Just hasn't clicked for the visitors so far tonight.
Crowley and Varion are introduced as Cork looks to mount a push in the final stages.
Post! UCD with the best chance of the half as Ciaran Behan picks up a loose ball and rattles the Cork post with a great effort.
Norris is introduced for Wells as UCD continue to soak up the Cork pressure which has come to very very little so far. With nearly 15 minutes remaining can UCD start to dream of their first three points of the season?
Keaney is booked now for a thunderous challenge on Cian Murphy.
UCD make their first change of the evening as Alex Nolan replaces Jake Doyle.
More possession for Cork this half but nothing much by the way of chances yet. Doyle is booked for UCD.
Barry Coffey is introduced in place of Custovic.
Great delivery from Whitmarch from a corner finds Murphy who headers narrowly over.
First shot for the substitute Owolabi after a lovely turn of Dignam but he blazes over.
Great recovery from Jack Keaney who stops Owolabi from getting one-on-one with Moore.
One change for Cork at the break as Owolabi replaces Keating up front.
Ciaran Behan gets us back underway at the Bowl!
As the teams emerge for the second half UCD will be delighted to be ahead and have restricted Cork to very few chances. Colin Healy will have had stern words for his lads at the break.
Half time UCD 1-0 Cork City.
One additional minute at the Bowl.
Penalty appeals roar out from the home fans as Dara Keane is down in the area but a free kick out is awarded.
Keating's touch lets him down after a wonderful ball from Custovic from deep. It wasn't an easy ball to deal with and Moore did well to come out and claim the ball.
First yellow for UCD and it's Higgins for a challenge on Bolger.
Cork continues to be sloppy in their own half as Bolger and Coleman both lose possession in the space of 30 seconds. Colin Healy will be very disappointed with the lack of concentration his side are showing.
Very few chances at either end but UCD are doing enough to frustrate the hosts. Neither side has gotten control in the midfield with plenty of long balls hit in hope.
Chance! Twice Cork are unconvincing for UCD corners and on this occasion, the ball drops to Behan who shoots narrowly wide.
First yellow of the evening is for Aaron Bolger after a late challenge on Keane.
Cork look nervy at the back after conceding so early. Behan looking lively down the UCD right wing.
First shot on target after some tidy play down the Cork left flank. Krezic finds Whitmarch who controls it well and slips it to Murphy. His effort is down the middle and Moore smothers it no problem.
Gilchrist gets a stern talking-to after a very strong challenge in the air on Dara Keane. Keating looks a threat early on for Cork and has had some nice touches in the opening stages.
Lively start at the Bowl as Dignam once again wins the ball high up with the UCD fans giving a roar of approval. Cork also looking to respond quickly to the opener.
What a start for the Students! Dignam wins the ball deep in the Cork half and feeds Behan to his right. The winger still has plenty to do but its a beautiful finish past Corcoran.
The away side get us underway!
Lovely evening for tonight\'s game as both sides go through their warm-ups. Massive game for UCD as they search for their first win of the season.
Meanwhile, Andy Myler makes 4 changes from the side that lost 3-0 to Shamrock Rovers. Adam Wells, Mark Dignam, Donal Higgins and Evan Osam replace Regan, Bolton, Clarke and Norris.
Teams are a go and it's just one change for the visiting Cork side. Daniel Krezic replaces Cian Bargary.
Evening folks! Conor Paterson here coming to you live from the UCD Bowl for tonight's SSE Airtricity League Premier Division clash between UCD AFC and Cork City. Team news coming to you very shortly.