FULL TIME: UCD gave them a scare but Dundalk got the job done as they defeated the students 5-1 at the UCD Bowl when it looked as if the fourth-place finish had been presented it was slammed in their faces once more in the second half. While they finished off the resilient students Shelbourne defeated Louth neighbours Drogheda and Dundalk will be without European football – officially for the 2024 season.

ADDED TIME: Four added minutes.

GOAL: Dundalk add a fifth as John Martins thunderous strike cannons off the post and Hoban is on hand to slot it home.

Dundalk almost to add a fifth as a perfect ball cross from Hoban met John Martin whose goalbound header was perfectly tipped onto the bar by Healy in what was a wonderful save.

SUB: Brennan comes off and is replaced by Higgins.

SUB: Triple change for Dundalk as Keith Ward, Sam Durrant amd John Martin on for Muller, Horgan and Elliott

GOAL: It's four ! His 120th league goal for the club as Patrick Hoban head it home from close range from an Archie Davies cross, a parting gift?

GOAL: And Daniel Kelly gets his second goal in two games as Malley hits an excellent through ball and Kelly rounds the keeper and slots it home.

SUB: Benson in for Doyle for Dundalk and Barr in for Verdon for UCD

GOAL: What a strike by Darly Horgan who lifts it to the roof of the net after breaking into the area following a Hoban lay off.

FLAT: Dundalk simply have not come out since the restart, its been so flat and UCD have sat in and waited for the breaks. With the news that Shelbourne are 3-2 up it seems that fourth is now gone for Dundalk.

SUB: Daniel Kelly comes on for Ryan O'Kane

SLOGGETT: What a block to stop the UCD attack with a fantastic sliding stop to clear the advancing UCD press.

CHANCE: A cross from Horgan finds Hoban and the ball falls to Doyle who strikes a low effort that is blocked down.

CHANCE: Archie Davies breaks into the middle and hits a strike that just sails over the bar.

SUB: Michael Gallagher and Jesse Dempsey make way for UCD at the break with Daniel Norris and Luke O'Regan in

RESTART: We are back underway as Dundalk restart the contest. The big 45 minutes of football is ahead of them now.

HALF TIME: Dundalk conceded early as Michael Gallager took the lead but Paul Doyle has the tie level. As things stand Dundalk are one goal away from fourth which is currently held by Bohemians.

CHANCE: Malleys free kick takes a deflection for a corner, Horgans cross is cleared by Healy and Patrick Hoban earns another corner. The ball finds the head of Muller and its well saved.

YELLOW: Clancy is given a yellow card for an apparent stamp.

ADDED TIME: Three added minutes.

CHANCE: A corner sent in was met by Patrick Hoban at the near post but it goes wide.

The crowd are much more vocal here with the news that Drogheda are 2-0 up in Weavers Park.

CHANCE: What a chance to take the lead as a cross sent in finds the scottish striker and it sails wide.

GOAL: Malley broke down then right and sent a cross in , the ball falls to Paul Doyle who slams the ball home. And Drogheda have taken the lead - lets go!!!!

SHOT: Archie Davies breaks down the right and hit a low effort that is well saved, Dundalk starting to turn the screw.

CHANCE: What a chance for Dundalk as Hayden Mullers strike cannons off the crossbar and Cameron Elliot looked certain to score but he sent it wide. The flag did go up so his blushes were saved, somewhat.

A free kick sent into the UCD area sees the ball bobble around and Elliot's cross goes just over the bar.

CHANCE: That is the closest Dundalk have gotten to a chance, a half clearance fell to Daryl Horgan and his hooked shot just goes over.

CHANCE: The first sight on goal for Dundalk as Malley sent in a deft ball to Hoban who headed it towards the path of Elliot only for Healy to come out and save well.

CHANCE: A free kick from Keeney does not go too far over the bar, Sheppard deemed to have seen enough of the flight of the ball for it to go over but in truth that could have gone either way.

YELLOW: A full blooded challenge from Patrick Hoban on Michael Gallagher and he is given a caution.

YELLOW: Jessie Dempsey is booked for a foul on Elliot, the resulting free kick was too heavy and it goes out for a goal kick.

GOAL: Well this wasnt in the script, an inital shot that came to the back post that wasn't cleared and Gallagher was at the back post to slam it home, the perfect start for the students.

KICK OFF: We are underway at UCD