UCD played their usual trick of going to sleep before the job was completed against Dundalk in Belfield on Friday night, when they ended up hanging on for a win they could have had wrapped up long before. However, the result was still enough to see the College go three points clear at the top of the table, with rivals Finn Harps and Kildare meeting tomorrow, when one of the two four will finally drop some points.
Dundalk were dealt an early blow when Andrew Duffy picked up an injury after 11 minutes - he was immediately subbed of for Ciarán Kavanagh, UCD's record appearance holder.
UCD had been doing more of the pressing before they took a deserved lead midway through the first half. Pat Sullivan broke free on the right, and what looked like a shot from 25 yards ended up finding Robbie Martin unmarked on the far post, where, even given his recent run of form (no goals in the last 13 if you don't count the Robbie Doyle og against Bohs), he could hardly miss. His celebratory handstand was a bid awry though, and his landing would scarcely have scored 5.000 at the coming Olympics...
Dundalk's best chance came ten minutes later, when Trevor Vaughan broke through the UCD defence, but his shot was well parried away by UCD keeper Darren Quigley.
For all their pressing, UCD were creating relatively few chances, and their next decent chance was converted. Again, Pat Sullivan was instrumental, his corner finding Alan McNally unmarked, and he volleyed into the corner from six yards for his first of the season.
The second half saw UCD go to sleep again, though Sullivan was still a constant thorn in the side of Dundalk until he was subbed off with seven minutes to go, to protect an injury he appeared to have picked up shortly beforehand. An overhead from ten yards which went over was the pick of his attacking contribution. Pat McWalter had an excellent chance to make it 3-0 five minutes into the half when he burst through the defence, but his final touch knocked the ball too far ahead, and Chris Bennion in goal was able to block. Dundalk were coming more into the game, but Quigley was imperious in the air, though one cross into the area saw him fling a fist at the ball and end up flapping it two yards beside him - luckily, there was just Alan Mahon in attendance, and nothing came of it. A Dundalk corner later caused problems, and Conor Kenna had to be in the right place at the right time to block a powerful goalbound shot (with his face) to keep the Duns out. I
It ultimately took a brilliant strike from Simon Kelly to beat Quigley. Dundalk won a free-kick 25 yards out in a central position, and Kelly curled the ball past the wall and into the top corner, giving Quigley no chance.
Suddenly, UCD, who should by rights have been out of sight, found themselves hanging on. Dundalk threw everything at the College, who often resorted to getting the ball clear and not worrying about much more. However, there is excellent defensive resolve in this UCD team, and Dundalk were ultimately frustrated and UCD held on to seal a win which realistically ends Dundalk's hopes of promotion for another season.
UCD - Quigley; Mahon, McAuley, Kenna, McNally; McDonnell, Sullivan (Kierans), Finn, O'Donnell; McWalter, Martin (Dicker)
Att - 397
