Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 May 2021 | 7:45 pm | LOI Men's First Division | 2021 |
Match Report
Spirted draw between UCD and Cork
UCD and Cork City were desperate for the win and both played in an attacking spirit tonight in a game that ended all square in Belfield.
City will feel they had the better chances, which on another night might have earned a win. The visitors were compact, and the home side couldn’t find a way to break them down, while they just didn’t have the break of the ball in attack.
In truth both sides probably deserved not to lose this tie.
The game began evenly with passages of possession for each club, but Cork grabbed the first real opportunity, after good play down the wings created chances, but they failed to convert this effort, as Cian Murphy had a shot cleared off the line.
In the 22nd minute, Cork had penalty appeals waved away after Cian Bargary went down in the area under a tough challenge.
Both teams appeared to be cancelling each other out at times in the middle third of the pitch, and it seemed like a break-away effort would be the type that would create the first goal.
Mark Dignam, who was UCD’s best player tonight; worked well in a tight area to create a half-chance for Whelan whose left-footed effort was dragged wide of goal.
On the half-time whistle, Whelan had another chance, but the ball wouldn’t drop quickly for a volley and Cork cleared the danger. Heading into the dressing rooms at the break, both sides certainly harboured realistic aspirations of winning this tie on the restart.
UCD started the second half brightly, with Whelan finding a pocket of space 25-yards from goal, but his dipping shot was excellently tipped over the bar by McNulty.
Cork City’s first corner of the closing period created pandemonium inside, as the ball dropped and bobbled around the six-yard area, but no Cork attacker was able to get a touch on it.
With both sides chasing a winner, they began to empty their respective benches. Dylan McGlade came on for City and his silky dribbling skills earned a corner-kick almost immediately. The corner-kick was cleared from the box, falling to Gearoid Morrissey whose volley was blocked down. This probably epitomised the game overall.
Both sides were desperate for a goal, which they chased until the end, but the dead-lock wasn’t broken, as they ultimately shared the spoils, following a contest neither team deserved to lose.
Timeline
| 42' | Alec Byrne Gearoid Morrissey | |
| Danu Kinsella Bishop Adam Lennon | 55' | |
| 56' | Gearoid Morrissey | |
| 59' | Jack Walsh Beineon O'Brien Whitmarsh | |
| 6. Sean Brennan | 60' | |
| 76' | Cian Murphy Dylan McGlade | |
| Eoin Farrell Evan Farrell | 79' | |
| 79' | 17. Darragh Crowley | |
| 24. Sam Todd | 81' | |
| Paul Doyle Donal Higgins | 87' | |
| Mark Dignam Ciaran Behan | 88' | |
| 90' | 2. Gordon Walker |
Past Meetings
 
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 |
Paul Regan
A sports nut who has coached at underage level in the League of Ireland. Passionate about domestic football.
In a game where both sides were desperate for the win, this game was one which neither side deserved to lose. It ends all square in Belfield.
Dylan McGlade has been impressive since coming on and he wins another free-kick in the midfield area. He takes the free himself and it is headed on for a corner-kick.Both sides are looking for a win here now.
Sam Todd picks up a yellow card after a late tackle on Crowley. Dylan McGlade's free-kick is knocked out for a corner-kick.
Keane is again a creative spark in midfield for UCd, beating two players before being dragged back by Crowley, who earns a yellow card.
Dylan McGlade has come on for Cork City and immediately makes an impact, winning a corner after some silky dribbling on the left wing. The corner drops to Morrissey on the edge of the box, whose volley is closed down.
Whitmarsh is sent clear on the right hand side and his speed threatens the UCD defence. McNulty knocks his shot out for a corner. Both teams are looking for a winner here.
There are twenty minutes to play here and both sides will feel like they have a chance to win and pick up all three points.
Cork City break down the pitch at speed but unfortunately for them, the ball into the middle from the right wing is cut out by Brennan.
Cork City win a contentious free on the half-way line. The free-kick is dangerous, and provides a heart-in-mouth moment for UCD as Williams didn't catch cleanly but the UCD defence clears to safety.
UCD are moving the ball from left to right, but Cork are frustrating UCD.
Morrisey's late tackle on Colm Whelan earns him the first yellow card of the game.
UCD win a corner-kick and they've also made a substitution, bringing on Adam Lennon for Kinsella-Bishop. The corner-kick is struck too well, and is headed on for a throw-in on the far side.
Cork had a great chance there again. The corner kick was not dealt with and as the ball dropped, and bobbled around the six yard area, but unfortunately for Cork, no man in green got a toe to it before it was cleared.
Cork city win a free-kick on the left of UCD's penalty area . A low cross is was cleared by Weir for a Corner Kick.
UCD win a free-kick in Cork's half as Morrissey fouls Keane.
Colm Whelan finds space in front of the penalty area and strikes a dipping shot but McNulty makes a terrific save to touch over the bar.
UCD's first attack finds their attack offside and Cork City have a free-kick.
UCD kick off for the second half.
Half-Time in Belfield.Cork City have looked stronger as they have created real dangerous chances but it is level here at the break.
UCD attack and Colm Whelan had a half-chance, but the ball wouldn't drop quickly enough for him to volley it to the net.
Cork are finishing the half strongly as the new man, Morrissey, hits a terrific shot that was heading for the top right hand corner, but for a great save.
Substitution for Cork as Byrne is taken off after a tough tackle. Gearoid Morrissey comes on for Cork
Whelan has looked like UCD's main threat, he finds space outside the box and shoots cleanly but his shot was always rising, going over.
Whelan wins the ball in the area and sets up Kinsella-Bishop whose shot is tame and McNulty gathers it.
Cork are defending well, staying compact and forcing UCD into crossing the ball into the area from deep and Mark McNulty again catches easily.
Both teams appear to be cancelling each other out at times in this game. Cork's free-kick is comfortably dealt with by the UCD defence and they counter-attack. However, Bargary in the left-back area makes a good challenge and halts the UCD attack.
Cork City earn a free-kick on the right hand side of the pitch but the in-swinging free-kick goes wide. Both teams look evenly matched as we pass the half-hour mark of the game.
A chance for Colm Whelan after good play by Dignam in tight areas on the left wing but he pulls his left footed shot wide of the goal.
Coleman is deemed to have fouled Kinsella-Bishop and UCd earn a free-kick.
Cian Bargary goes down in the area under a challenge amid calls from the Cork bench for a penalty but the referee isn't interested. Cork have definitely had the better of the play so fat.
UCD have improved their play, and Paul Doyle heads wide. Cork have had the better part of the play so far.
After a dangerous cross down the left wing, Cian Murphy had an excellent chance cleared off the line and Cork City win a corner-kick.
Ten minutes played and both teams have had periods of possession. An even start to the game.
Cork look threatening down the right hand side.
UCD win a free-kick in the second minute, after their first time into the Cork half.
Welcome to the FinalWhistle.ie coverage of UCD v Cork City.