Drogheda 0-1 UCD

[pineapple stu]

:D :D :D

Will do a full report tomorrow. Drogheda were awful and we deserved the win. Means much less looking over our shoulders!

[MyTown]

Well done to College. Definitely deserved the win and well clear of the scramble at the bottom now.

I expect Drogheda to adopt 'I don't like Mondays' as their new theme tune.

But tbh they really offered nothing by way of an attacking threat, lots of lateral passing through Stewie, but not much else. Doubtless, they'll have it out of their system by the time they reach Terryland on friday evening:(

Our final game of the season - against you in Galway - will probably still have a lot of significance for us, but after last night, I feel you're safe.

[Conor H]

Well done to College. Definitely deserved the win and well clear of the scramble at the bottom now.

I expect Drogheda to adopt 'I don't like Mondays' as their new theme tune.

But tbh they really offered nothing by way of an attacking threat, lots of lateral passing through Stewie, but not much else. Doubtless, they'll have it out of their system by the time they reach Terryland on friday evening:(

Our final game of the season - against you in Galway - will probably still have a lot of significance for us, but after last night, I feel you're safe.

We'll be safe by then also.

UCD went along way to keeping them up and safe last night but they're by no means home and dry.

[Schumi]

Great win. Conan (sponsored by STIG) was brilliant, he has to keep his place now. Tony was immense too and would have been a worthy man of the match. The whole team were excellent, can't fault any of them. It's just a pity I saw the goal on TV last night, it looked like goal of the season material from where we were. :D

I wonder did we stumble on our best back four last night? Kenna was very assured at right back which was great to see after his first 10-15 minutes against Galway, McNally and McDonnell were rock-solid (in the non-Cork sense) in the middle and Bermingham was brilliant as usual. Injuries permitting, I'd keep those four there for the foreseeable future.

I was amazed at how toothless Drogheda were, they never really looked like scoring. Tony dealt comfortably with all the balls lumped into the box and the full backs had Robinson and Keddy under control.

[Poor Student]

Drogheda as usual looked poor against us only this time they didn't walk away with the win. An enjoyable win, we were assured, strong and determined. Drogheda had no ideas or ingenuity about them. Hard to believe they're seven points clear.

The return of the Mac, Tony's best game of the season. Alan McNally his usual quality self. Kenna slotted in comfortably at right back. Bermo was great. McFaul looks to be getting better and better. Crowley seemed to have his best game in a college shirt. Conan was great, tracked back and got stuck in, did well in the air, gave us some drive going forward and nearly scored a great free kick. Podge gave his all for the 70 minutes or so and did his best in a position I don't think serves him well. Timmy harried away at defenders even if he didn't produce a whole lot. Just a great team performance. Makes you think we might be able to take something from the Brandywell in the cup if we can steer clear of injuries and the right team is selected.

[DmanDmythDledge]

We'll be safe by then also.

UCD went along way to keeping them up and safe last night but they're by no means home and dry.
We were safe before a ball was kicked.


I wonder did we stumble on our best back four last night? Kenna was very assured at right back which was great to see after his first 10-15 minutes against Galway, McNally and McDonnell were rock-solid (in the non-Cork sense) in the middle and Bermingham was brilliant as usual. Injuries permitting, I'd keep those four there for the foreseeable future.
I think we have, although I'd be a bit worried having Tony against someone quick like Mark Farren. Superb performance from all the defence last night- Quigley didn't have a save to make. Kenna and Bermingham kept Keddy and Shelly quiet all night. Tony won everything that was thrown at him.

Conan and Crowley had excellent games in midfield, McFaul was very good too and Podge did a decent job but looked short of match practise. Sammo did fine upfront, not one of his best games but was far from poor. Timmy had a poor first half but came out better in the second and did a good job.

[Schumi]

Timmy harried away at defenders even if he didn't produce a whole lot.He had Gavin (I think) pulling out of him every time he got the ball and the ref did nothing about it, very hard to do much in that situation.


We were safe before a ball was kicked.Don't know about that, had we lost that game and in Cork on Monday and Galway and Longford continued to pick up points, it would have got far too close for my liking. The games against them would have been at least must-not-lose games. With an 8 point cushion now and, more importantly, proof that we can still play well, I don't think we're in any real danger.

[DmanDmythDledge]

Don't know about that, had we lost that game and in Cork on Monday and Galway and Longford continued to pick up points, it would have got far too close for my liking. The games against them would have been at least must-not-lose games. With an 8 point cushion now and, more importantly, proof that we can still play well, I don't think we're in any real danger.
Maybe so but the teams below us are that bad that we were never really in any danger.

[Bald Student]

My favourite part was watching the Doolo interview afterwards. He looked like a balloon that someone had let the air out of.

[Schumi]

hows the chap that went off with his head injury??heard a doctoe being called to the dressing room,hope hes ok
Meant to post about that. After the game, I asked our doctor (well shouted at him across the pitch really :D) about Shortall and he said that he was back from the hospital, had been concussed but was alright.

[Schumi]

It's just a pity I saw the goal on TV last night, it looked like goal of the season material from where we were. :DNo such trouble for the Irish Times reporter:
The goal came seven minutes into the second half. Rather than float it into the area, Conan Byrne pulled his corner back along the ground for left back Ian Bermingham who drilled a shot low through a crowded goalmouth and into the far bottom corner of Dan Connor's net.At least we know they sent a reporter to the game rather than watch it on the telly.

[pineapple stu]

That ref was appalling, actually. Every decision he gave was random, seemingly.

No way were we safe before last night.

[Colie]

Finally got a computer! Was at electric picnic & back yesterday whereby I immediately hit the sack before decomposition began & duly missed the game only to wake up to a 1-0 lead with 10 minutes left! What a win. We'll be grand now. Great to see Tony's back to business after his seriously dissapointing penalty giveaway against Rovers. I reckon we'll lose Sammo at the end of the seasn to, eh, lets see..... Longford Town.

[John83]

I reckon we'll lose Sammo at the end of the seasn to, eh, lets see..... Longford Town.
I heard AEK Athens are after him.

[Conor H]

Maybe so but the teams below us are that bad that we were never really in any danger.

:D

And yout think UCD are far superior?
League Table doesn't lie and therefore suggests UCD were by no means clear of the relegation zone-and still aren't.

[pineapple stu]

League Table doesn't lie and therefore suggests UCD were by no means clear of the relegation zone
We're eight points clear of relegation with ten games to go. Let's see what the table is like after that. That's when it won't be lying.

[pineapple stu]

I see Setanta's research on us involved reading STIGonline.com. :)

Even referred to Conan the Barbarian!

[John83]

I see Setanta's research on us involved reading STIGonline.com. :)

Even referred to Conan the Barbarian!
I don't think we've actually called him that anywhere. :)

Still, maybe I've missed something obvious, so people, do check:
http://conanthebarbarian.stigonline.com

[pineapple stu]

Setanta reckon we should have been smiling more. :) :) :)

[Poor Student]

I heard AEK Athens are after him.

Rubbish, he's not good enough for AEK. That was a PAOK Salonika scout at the game.

[pineapple stu]

Ian Bermingham’s first goal for UCD ensured a surprise victory over a lethargic Drogheda United side in United Park on Monday. Barring the first five and the last ten minutes, UCD dominated throughout and were full value for their win.

UCD made several changes from the side beaten 3-0 in the League Cup semi on Tuesday – Darren Quigley was recalled in goal, Conan Byrne replaced Shane Fitzgerald on the right wing while Pat McWalter took over from the injured Derek Doyle on the left. Timmy Purcell got only his fourth start of the season up front in place of Ronan Finn, while the suspended Alan Mahon was replaced by the returning Alan McNally, with Conor Kenna moving out to right back.

Drogheda started strongly with Whelan getting a good chance only to shoot straight at Quigley, while UCD were dealt an early blow when Brian Shortall went down with concussion after a clash of heads just three minutes in. He lasted only a further seven minutes before being replaced by Paul Crowley, with Tony McDonnell dropping back to centre back.

UCD grew into the game as it went on, however, as Drogheda’s defenders showed a remarkable lack of ability to play the ball out of defence. With the Students winning far more than their fair share of 50/50 balls, the visitors began to pin their hosts back in their own half, although a couple of dangerous free kicks from Conan Byrne, which could have been attacked more, were as much danger as could be mustered early on. Tony McDonnell went close with a far post header when impeded by Alan McNally, while Éamon Zayed spurned Drogheda’s best chance when ballooning over from ten yards after a mis-kick by McFaul.

However, the best chance of the first half came on the half hour when Conan Byrne struck a free from 25 yards which was destined for the top corner before Dan Connor managed to get a hand to the ball to turn it around for a corner.

UCD took the lead seven minutes into the second half. Timmy Purcell set Conan Byrne free, but his cross was deflected out for a corner. Byrne played it short out to Ian Bermingham, who tried his luck from 25 yards and saw the shot deflect off Zayed and go into the bottom corner.

UCD’s confidence was visibly rising, and Conor Kenna and then Conan Byrne tried their luck from distance with shots which, like Bermingham’s, were deflected, but this time, Connor was in place to deal with the shots.

On 78 minutes, Peter Hynes came on to replace Timmy Purcell, and almost scored with his first touch when his header into the ground from a Conan Byrne corner bounced up and off the bar; a corner was awarded with the ref deciding that Dan Connor had touched the ball over, although he looked well beaten. Three minutes later, Byrne teased his marker, whipped in another excellent cross and Brian Shelley only just managed to chest the ball back to his keeper with Conor Sammon lurking.

With Drogheda going three up front for the last five minutes, there was much more pressure in and around the UCD penalty area, and Conor Kenna had to be brace to block away Stuart Byrne’s piledriver, but still the hosts’ first final pass was lacking, while the defence were still content to hoof clearances aimlessly forward. The UCD defence was back to its usual imperious self, with Tony McDonnell, Conor Kenna, Alan McNally and the hobbling Ian Bermingham snuffing out Drogs’ attacks with clinical ease as the Students fairly comfortably held out for the three points.

UCD – Quigley; Kenna, Bermingham, McNally, Shortall (Crowley 10); McDonnell, C Byrne, McFaul, McWalter (Fitzgerald 72); Sammon, Purcell (Hynes 78). Subs not used – Finn, Gregg.

[DmanDmythDledge]

I see Setanta's research on us involved reading STIGonline.com. :)

Even referred to Conan the Barbarian!
Jimmy Magee always calls him that!

Also his interview..."brilliant".:D

[DmanDmythDledge]

Alan McNally, Ian Bermingham and Conan Byrne named in eleven-a-side team of the week (http://www.eleven-a-side.com/blogs/viewblog.asp?bid=81).

[Schumi]

Setanta reckon we should have been smiling more. :) :)That would explain the text I got during the game so. :D