Wayside Celtic 0-0 UCD

[DmanDmythDledge]

Nothing of note happened really except for a few new signings played and Alan Mahon went off injured, but was walking after the game. Doyle had a good game and Gregg looked solid in goal.

[pineapple stu]

UCD kicked off their pre-season with an encouraging performance against Wayside Celtic in Kilternan this afternoon.

Although Wayside ultimately claimed a 0-0 draw, UCD played well up until their traditional problems in front of goal kicked in.

UCD started very strongly, and had a number of decent opportunities to open the scoring inside the first quarter hour. Paul Byrne hit the side netting when arriving late to a cross to the far post, while a couple of minutes later he was played in by Derek Doyle, but delayed sufficiently for the Wayside defence to scramble clear. Then a minute later, Byrne flicked a goal kick on to Sammon who, clear on goal, lobbed over the bar.

On the half hour, a free on the right corner of the area was blasted towards goal by Derek Doyle, but no-one was on hand to take advantage of the Wayside keeper's unorthodox punch clear. And with five minutes to go to half time, UCD almost stole the lead in bizarre circumstances when Conor Sammon nipped in to rob the ball after a Wayside free and find himself clear through on goal; his shot was weak and straight at the keeper, however. Three minutes later, Sammon was at it again, going past his man on the left of the area, but his drag-back just couldn't beat the keeper.

Wayside did have a couple of chances - Darren Quigley spilled a shot straight at him and the defence scrambled clear for a corner, while Ronan Finn was also on hand to clear a dangerous cross out for a corner.

New signing Matt Gregg replaced Darren Quigley for the second half, while just a couple of minutes after the re-start, Alan Mahon went off with an ankle injury and another new signing, Pat Sullivan, came on for his first game for UCD since departing for Drogheda after the 2004 season.

The second half started the same way the first one ended - Conor Sammon was again put through on goal, but this time the Wayside keeper pulled off a good save. A couple of minutes later, Sammon was through again, but dragged his shot wide when he had support in the middle.

That was Sammon's last action in the game, as he was taken off a couple of minutes later - along with Alan McNally - to give a couple of the new scholarship students a run-out. The game became more even after that, and Matt Gregg was called on to make a couple of good saves low to the corner.

The result won't worry manager Pete Mahon unduly given the performance, in wihch Derek Doyle and Conor Kenna impressed, while the front pair of Conor Sammon and Paul Byrne did link up very well with the midfield.

UCD - Quigley (Gregg h/t); Mahon (Sullivan 48), Kenna, McMillan, McNally (??? 60); Finn, Fitz (?), Flynn, Doyle; Sammon (??? 60), Byrne.

[pineapple stu]

McNally was replaced by Gary O'Brien or Niall O'Reilly, depending on who you talk to. He was signed from Bohs, where he made one or two appearances at the end of last season.

Fitz is Shane Fitzgerald. Don't know about the other sub.

[DmanDmythDledge]

McNally was replaced by Gary O'Brien or Niall O'Reilly, depending on who you talk to. He was signed from Bohs, where he made one or two appearances at the end of last season.
Gary O'Brien according to eleven-a-side.

[pineapple stu]

Possibly taken from the official website. I got the name from Maccer, who wasn't at the match so wasn't 100% sure who I was talking about exactly. A Bohs fan who posted on the transfers thread has never heard of a Gary O'Brien, even though he was suppoesd to have been in the squad towards the end of last year.

Edit - Niall O'Reilly (http://www.bohemian-fc.com/home/oreilly.php). 11 appearances for Bohs, including two against us last season.