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Date Time League Season
6 September 2023 7:45 pm LOI Men's Premier Division 2023

Match Report

Derry dominate Students to continue title challenge

A dominant display gave Derry City all three points as they easily dispatched UCD AFC 5-0 at the UCD Bowl this evening.

An early goal from Mullen and braces from both Will Patching and Brandon Kavanagh put the sword to a sorry UCD side. Ruairi Higgins will be pleased to have passed this test as his side now sit just four points behind league leaders Shamrock Rovers who they face next after the international break.

UCD came into tonight’s game as clear underdogs but they couldn’t have gotten a worse start after Derry opened the scoring inside the first two minutes.

Paul McMullan was found out wide by Diallo and he edged infield with Evan Osam giving the Scotsman plenty of room to work with. The winger made the most of it and was able to set himself for a cross which found the incoming Danny Mullen who beat the UCD defenders to it to head home an early lead.

UCD fired back with a warning just a few minutes later as Norris picked up a long ball and drove at the Derry backline before shooting narrowly wide. Their best chance of the half came minutes later after a Cameron McJannett slip put Kinsella-Bishop in unexpectedly on goal.

Brian Maher showed his goalkeeping quality and quick reactions to block the shot around the post and keep their early lead intact.

The game was very flat for much of the first half as Derry dominated the ball with very little incisive football around the UCD box, despite McMullan looking dangerous every time he got on the ball.

However, the Candystripes stepped up their intensity toward the end of the half and got their reward. First, Diallo once again found McMullan with an excellent ball sprayed wide. The winger then picked out Patching who still had plenty to do but the midfielder struck the ball beautifully with a looped effort into the back of the net.

UCD almost pulled one back from a corner which was taken by Behan but missed by Keaney. However, Shane McEleney managed to connect but only towards his own goal. Fortunately for the centre-back, Maher was alive to the danger and got down low to save the ball and McEleney’s blushes.

A third quickly followed just before the halftime whistle, this time the danger coming down the left flank as Ben Doherty picked out Kavanagh who slotted home for his first of the evening.

After the restart, Derry kept up the intensity with which they finished the half. It wasn’t long before they scored again thanks to a beautiful finish from Will Patching.

McMullan was again involved in the build-up as he picked out Kavanagh in the middle. The Derry winger was unable to fully control the ball but Patching was running across and took over before finding the top left corner from just inside the area.

Kavanagh also produced a wonderful finish just five minutes later. He found space on the edge of the area and struck a curled effort with real quality off his left foot leaving Healy stranded in the UCD net.

Both managers then rang in the changes including the introduction of Sam Todd to face his former club UCD for the first time since departing Belfield. Those substitutions definitely took the sting out of the game and the match fizzled out with Derry delighted and UCD dejected.

While the win was expected, Ruairi Higgins will no doubt be relieved to avoid a potential banana skin tonight as his side moves to four points off the top of the table. The standings also set up an intriguing tie against the Hoops next time out which takes place at the Brandywell on the 15th of September.

Meanwhile, UCD travel to Sligo Rovers on the following day, Saturday the 16th. The international break will come as a relief to Andy Myler and his team who were beaten by a far better side tonight as their march towards relegation continues.

UCD AFC

1Lorcan Healy Goalkeeper
3Evan Osam Defender
5Adam Wells Defender
6Jack Keaney Midfielder
7Brendan Barr 24 Midfielder
10Ciaran Behan 18 Midfielder
17Dara Keane Midfielder
21Danu Kinsella Bishop 29 Forward
25Daniel Norris 9 Forward
36Sean Brennan Midfielder
37Adam Verdon 22 Midfielder
16Kian Moore Goalkeeper
4Ryan Bowden Defender
9Mikey Raggett 25 Forward
18Donal Higgins 10 Midfielder
22Harry Curtis 37 Defender
24Harvey O’Brien 7 Defender 89'
29Jake Doyle 21 Forward
41Eanna Clancy Defender

Derry City

1Brian Maher Goalkeeper
3Ciaran Coll Defender
8Will Patching 22 Midfielder 39', 51'
12Paul McMullan 10 Midfielder
14Ben Doherty Midfielder
15Sadou Diallo 40 Midfielder
16Shane McEleney Defender
17Cameron McJannet Defender
20Brandon Kavanagh 22 Midfielder 43', 57'
21Danny Mullen Forward 2'
28Adam O’Reilly 29 Midfielder
26Tadhg Ryan Goalkeeper
7Michael Duffy Midfielder
9Jamie McGonigle Forward
10Patrick McEleney 12 Midfielder
22Sam Todd 20 Defender
22Jordan McEneff 8 Midfielder
29Cian Kavanagh 28 Forward
31Tiernan McGinty Midfielder
40Callum McCay 15 Midfielder
  • 93'

    Derry delight in Dublin! Fulltime whistle is blown with a convincing 5-0 victory for the Candystripes. Match report coming your way very shortly.

  • 90'

    Three additional minutes here at the Bowl.

  • 89'

    First yellow of the game goes to Harvey O'Brien after a challenge on Cian Kavanagh.

  • 82'

    Very few chances now as the game begins to fizzle out. The away side continue to probe but UCD are sitting very deep.

  • 76'

    Double change for UCD brings out the final substitutions of the evening, Verdon and Barr are replaced by Curtis and O'Brien.

  • 73'

    Patrick McEleney hits it but the substitute's effort is straight at Healy who holds on to the ball well.

  • 73'

    Cian Kavanagh is fouled on the edge of the box giving Derry a freekick from a dangerous position.

  • 72'

    The substitutions have taken the sting out of the game somewhat as UCD look very dejected. No doubt Ruairi Higgins and his side see this as a great chance to boost their goal tally for the season.

  • 70'

    Next on for Derry is McCay who replaces Diallo.

  • 64'

    No let up from Derry here as they continue to press after the flurry of goals.

  • 60'

    Two double changes in quick succession for Derry as Patching, McJannett, Mullen and O'Relly all make way for McEleney, McEneff, Cian Kavanagh and former UCD man Sam Todd.

  • 56'

    Oh what a finish from Kavanagh with a beautiful left footed shot that goes in off the post! That's five for Derry!

  • 52'

    UCD respond with a triple change as Norris, Raggett and Doyle replace Kinsella-Bishop, Norris and Behan.

  • 51'

    Pick that one out Patching! He gets his second and Derry's fourth with a lovely finish!

  • 47'

    Dangerous ball from Doherty is attacked by Mullen but Keaney is first to the ball and clears for a corner but it comes to nothing.

  • 45'

    Sean Brennan gets us back underway for the restart.

  • 45'

    Halftime whistle is blown, UCD AFC 0-3 Derry City. Away side are cruising at the break.

  • 45'

    One additional minute here at the Bowl.

  • 43'

    Another! Derry step it up in the last few minutes and get their reward. This time the goal comes from the left wing and Brandon Kavanagh converts.

  • 40'

    UCD almost respond. Ciaran Behan takes a corner which is missed but Shane McEleney connects with it. It goes toward his own goal however but Maher is alive to get down and save.

  • 39'

    Patching doubles the lead! Again Diallo finds McMullan with an excellent ball sprayed out wide. The wingers crosses and finds Patching who has a lot to do from deep but its an excellent looped finish into the net.

  • 35'

    Very flat here at the Bowl as Patching blazes over from distance.

  • 31'

    McEleney knocks the ball out of play nowhere near a Derry player which sums up the last few minutes. Plenty of possession for the away side but not creating much since the opener.

  • 24'

    McMullan is giving Evan Osam an awful time down the Derry right flank as he twists and turns while dribbling towards the UCD fullback. He manages to cross the ball but it fizzes high across the goal.

  • 21'

    Another nervy moment from Lorcan Healy gives Patching the ball in the box but he can't strike it cleanly and Healy collects.

  • 16'

    Almost a very costly slip from McJannett allows Kinsella-Bishop through on goal but Maher gets something on it and Derry get a let off.

  • 12'

    Another cross finds Danny Mullen, this time from deep by Ben Doherty but he is unable to convert

  • 11'

    Corner for UCD as Dara Keane sees his shot deflected wide but it comes to nothing.

  • 5'

    Close! Warning from UCD as Norris is found by an excellent long ball. He takes it down and drives goalward before shooting narrowly wide.

  • 4'

    Nervy moment for UCD as Wells is about to head clear but Healy shouts loudly for the defender to leave it. However, the keeper spills it but manages to claim it on the second time of asking

  • 2'

    That didn't take long! Paul McMullen has loads of time to pick a cross which finds Danny Mullen. The striker evades the UCD pressure to head home an early lead.

  • 1'

    Will Patching gets us underway!

  • Rovers boss Stephen Bradley has been spotted here at the Bowl, his Hoops face Derry next after the league returns from the international break on the 15th of September so he will no doubt be watching this game closely.

  • If the Candystripes need any more confidence tonight, they haven't lost to the Students at the Bowl since April 2005, hard to see that record changing tonight.

  • For the travelling Derry side they make two changes from the side that beat Dundalk 3-1 at Oriel Park on Friday. Former UCD man Sam Todd drops to the bench, as does Patrick McEleney, they are replaces by Brandon Kavanagh and Sadou Diallo who returns from a one game suspension.

  • Just one change for the Students as Brendan Barr replaces Jesse Dempsey who is off on Ireland under 19's duty. Summer signing Eanna Clancy takes the next step in his return from injury as he sits on the bench having played just a few minutes of football for UCD this season.

  • Good evening and welcome to FinalWhistle.ie coverage of the rescheduled SSE Airtricity League Premier Division clash between UCD AFC and Derry City. I'm Conor Paterson and as usual I will be bringing you live updates throughout the game as well as a post-match report after the full time whistle.

Past Meetings

(Round 16)
4 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

Derry City FC 4-1 UCD AFC

(Round 4)
0 - 4
LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl

UCD AFC 0-4 Derry City FC

(Round 29)
3 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

Derry City 3-0 UCD AFC

(Round 21)
0 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl

UCD AFC v Derry City

(Round 12)
7 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

Derry City v UCD AFC

(Round 5)
0 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl

UCD AFC v Derry City

1 - 3
LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl

UCD AFC v Derry City FC

0 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

Derry City FC v UCD AFC

0 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl

UCD AFC v Derry City FC

3 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

Derry City FC v UCD AFC

1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

Derry City FC v UCD AFC

1 - 6
LOI Men's Premier Division
UCD Bowl

UCD AFC v Derry City FC

1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium

Derry City FC v UCD AFC

Ground

UCD Bowl
UCD Bowl, Greenfield Park, Greenfield, Roebuck, Clonskeagh-Belfield ED, Dublin, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, County Dublin, Leinster, D04 XT65, Ireland

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.