Dundalk FC 3-0 UCD

Match Report

Dundalk continued their impeccable home form and made it eight successive wins at Oriel Park with a 3-0 win over UCD on a rainy Friday night.

Second-half goals from three UCD alumni – David McMillan, Greg Sloggett and Keith Ward – sealed the three points for the Lilywhites.

Stephen O’Donnell was forced into one change from the side which drew 0-0 with UCD when Steven Bradley, originally named in the XI, picked up a knock in the warm-up and was replaced by Joe Adams.

The first half was dominated by…the rain.

Both sides struggled to get any sort of hold on the match with the heavy rain making conditions difficult.

David McMillan had a half-chance as the contest approached the half-hour mark as his attempted shot off Lewis Macari’s cross was sent wide of the target.

Greg Sloggett then tried his luck from distance but his effort was easily charged down by Sam Todd.

It was former UCD captain Paul Doyle who came closest though to opening the scoring when he showed quick feet to create space for himself and opened up for a shot. However, goalkeeper Cian Moore tipped it round the post at full stretch.

Half-time: Dundalk 0-0 UCD

Dundalk began the second period on the front foot and when Kelly showed superb drive to go on the outside right, his cross was knocked down by Benson, into the path of McMillan and he fired to the net.

Shortly after, it was 2-0. A corner from the right-hand side delivered by Benson wasn’t cleared by the UCD defence and Sloggett bundled the ball home.

Sloggett and Kelly had chances after that to add further to the lead but neither could find the net from inside the area.

Sloggett had another chance to double his tally when he got a foot to a stinging cross from Adams however it went wide.

The rain did ease off as we approached the 90 minutes and the match did go somewhat flat.

There would be time for one more as another former Student Keith Ward showed terrific composure to find the net with the last kick of the game from John Martin’s pull back.

That was it and O’Donnell’s men got back to winning ways ahead of the Louth Derby next weekend.

Full-time: Dundalk 3-0 UCD

DUNDALK FC: Nathan Shepperd; Lewis Macari, Mark Connolly, Andy Boyle, Darragh Leahy; Greg Sloggett, Paul Doyle (Sam Bone 78); Joe Adams, Robbie Benson (Ryan O’Kane 63), Daniel Kelly (Keith Ward 63); David McMillan (John Martin 78). Subs not used: Peter Cherrie (GK), Mark Hanratty.

UCD: Cian Moore; Michael Gallagher (Alex Dunne 80), Evan Osam, Sam Todd, Adam Verdon (Donal Higgins 55); Dara Keane (John Ryan 80), Jack Keaney, Dylan Duffy, Thomas Lonergan (Alex Nolan 66), Mark Dignam (Danny Norris 66); Evan Caffrey. Subs not used: Lorcan Healy (GK), Harvey O’Connor, Ryan Bowden, Ian Byrne.

REFEREE: Rob Harvey.