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17/10/2004, 1:01 AM
A late penalty saw UCD put one foot in the Premier Division next season after about as convincing a one-goal-win-with-the-winner-from-a-late-penalty win as you will get. Kildare's dodgy keeper and their defence's inability to play the ball from the back without resorting to hoofing, coupled with the front line's insistence on shooting wildly off target belied the fact that the teams were level for most of the match, but UCD made most of the running and could have won by more.
UCD made two changes from the 0-0 draw in Monaghan, with the experienced duo of Alan Mahon and Tony McDonnell coming in for Anto Murphy and the suspended Mick O'Donnell. The first half was a tame affair, with few clear chances, and UCD's lead goal was as scrappy as they come. A free from the right was swung in, the keeper tried to clear, but his clearance seemed to strike a Kildare defender and the ball bobbled into the back of the net, with Robbie Martin being credited with the final touch. Five minutes later, another ball into the box was nodded down by Tony McDonnell for Batman Hughes, whose volley was only just off target.
At the other end, Kildare threatened only occasionally, but came into the game more after going 1-0 down, and on the stroke of half-time, they had an equaliser when a cross from the right was met by the head of leading scorer Martin Reilly, who sent his header into the roof of the net.
UCD controlled the second half, with Kildare being forced to defend in numbers at times as the Students made several surging runs - Tony McDonnell, Pat Sullivan and Philip Hughes all skipped past two or three challenges only for another Kildare shirt to get in the way just as the College player was about to get away the shot. Hughes also tried his luck from the edge of the area, with Brendan Kennedy - brother of Mark, and keeper when Cherry Orchard lost 3-0 to UCD in the FAI Cup three years ago - parrying away, but somehow no UCD player was able to get the finishing touch.
Kildare had only one real chance of note in the second half, when Darren Quigley failed to deal with a high ball, and the UCD defence had to be alert to block away a shot from the edge of the area.
Just when it looked like UCD would have to settle for the draw, however, another run from deep from Tony McDonnell saw him burst into the penalty box, where he was taken down by a Kildare defender, and the referee had no hesitation in awarding the penalty. Robbie Martin scored to move him to 28 league goals for UCD, up to fifth spot in the all-time list.
That was his last touch of the game as he immediately came off to be replaced by Willie Doyle, who could have made it 3-1 as he ran on to a through ball only to be denied by a precise sliding tackle on the edge of the area. However, UCD deservedly held on for the three points to put nine between themselves and Kildare, with only five games left. If you assume Kildare won't catch us on goal difference - we have a headstart of 15 - UCD can seal promotion with home wins against Limerick and Kilkenny. And with Harps, Bray and Kildare all still to play each other, the title is still very much on...
UCD - Quigley; Mahon, McAuley, Kenna, McNally; McDonnell, Sullivan, Finn, McWalter; Martin (Doyle 86), Hughes. Subs not used - Gallagher, AN Other x 2
Att - c 275
UCD made two changes from the 0-0 draw in Monaghan, with the experienced duo of Alan Mahon and Tony McDonnell coming in for Anto Murphy and the suspended Mick O'Donnell. The first half was a tame affair, with few clear chances, and UCD's lead goal was as scrappy as they come. A free from the right was swung in, the keeper tried to clear, but his clearance seemed to strike a Kildare defender and the ball bobbled into the back of the net, with Robbie Martin being credited with the final touch. Five minutes later, another ball into the box was nodded down by Tony McDonnell for Batman Hughes, whose volley was only just off target.
At the other end, Kildare threatened only occasionally, but came into the game more after going 1-0 down, and on the stroke of half-time, they had an equaliser when a cross from the right was met by the head of leading scorer Martin Reilly, who sent his header into the roof of the net.
UCD controlled the second half, with Kildare being forced to defend in numbers at times as the Students made several surging runs - Tony McDonnell, Pat Sullivan and Philip Hughes all skipped past two or three challenges only for another Kildare shirt to get in the way just as the College player was about to get away the shot. Hughes also tried his luck from the edge of the area, with Brendan Kennedy - brother of Mark, and keeper when Cherry Orchard lost 3-0 to UCD in the FAI Cup three years ago - parrying away, but somehow no UCD player was able to get the finishing touch.
Kildare had only one real chance of note in the second half, when Darren Quigley failed to deal with a high ball, and the UCD defence had to be alert to block away a shot from the edge of the area.
Just when it looked like UCD would have to settle for the draw, however, another run from deep from Tony McDonnell saw him burst into the penalty box, where he was taken down by a Kildare defender, and the referee had no hesitation in awarding the penalty. Robbie Martin scored to move him to 28 league goals for UCD, up to fifth spot in the all-time list.
That was his last touch of the game as he immediately came off to be replaced by Willie Doyle, who could have made it 3-1 as he ran on to a through ball only to be denied by a precise sliding tackle on the edge of the area. However, UCD deservedly held on for the three points to put nine between themselves and Kildare, with only five games left. If you assume Kildare won't catch us on goal difference - we have a headstart of 15 - UCD can seal promotion with home wins against Limerick and Kilkenny. And with Harps, Bray and Kildare all still to play each other, the title is still very much on...
UCD - Quigley; Mahon, McAuley, Kenna, McNally; McDonnell, Sullivan, Finn, McWalter; Martin (Doyle 86), Hughes. Subs not used - Gallagher, AN Other x 2
Att - c 275