UCD 0-3 Longford

Hmmm...we appear really deep in trouble now. Longford - a good team but not a great team, won this fairly comfortably really. We played some decent football after we went 1-0 down, and Robbie Griffin should have scored when clean through - but we were well beaten, and it's difficult to see how we're ging to catch the seven points up to Derry, at a stage when all the other teams in the league appear able to pick points up regularly. On the plus side, this was our first home defeat in eight games, so if we can sort out our away form, we might make it to safety, but it's looking farther with each defeat...

Best moment of the game though (apart from Seán Francis' brilliant volleyed goal) was Robbie Mac's throw after ten minutes, which he walloped into Eric Lavine's face! Lavine didn't even blink, but the referee wasn't too happy and immediately booked Robbie Mac, who somehow managed to feign innocence!

Also, Pat Jennings dropped in place of Austin O'Neill. He looked a bit shaky at times - punching crosses rather than catching - but could do little about any of the goals. Don't know if he'll play in Dalyer on Friday, but you couldn't really draw any conclusions based on this game.

I'm sick of this whole crappy season at this stage.

I don't know what else to say really...

Students beaten by Longford

UCD 0-3 Longford Town
With the appearance of a side that has already accepted their fate this season, UCD offered little resistance as Longford Town came to Belfield Park and left with a barely-contested three points.

Shane Barrett was once again the focal point of the midlanders’ attacks, and although he scored one and set up another, a greater edge of composure to his game would surely see his personal tally multiply.

UCD were without first-choice goalkeeper Pat Jennings, Paul Doolin relying on inexperienced netminder Austin O’Neill between the sticks.

Barrett set up the first goal of the game shortly after the half hour mark, teeing up Darragh Sheridan - back after suspension - to fire to the net.

Robbie Griffin should have seen the Students level before the break, but fluffed a chance when put through on Town goalkeeper Stephen O’Brien.

And the home side were punished for that immediately after the restart for the second half, Barrett finding the net himself to give his side daylight.

Second half substitute Sean Francis volleyed home from Alan Kirby’s cross 13 minutes from the end to condemn UCD to their eleventh defeat in 18 league games. For form side Longford, on the other hand, this victory is a sixth in seven games, and lifts them into fourth place in the table, just three points behind leaders Shelbourne.

UCD: O’Neill, Sullivan, Davey, McNally, McAuley, O’Donnell, Cawley, Martin, Gallen (Leech, 56), Griffin, Ryan (McDonnell, 56).

Longford Town: O’Brien, Murphy, Prunty, McGovern, Ferguson, Perth, Sheridan, Kirby, Byrne (Dillon, 62), Lavine (Francis, 58), Barrett (Murphy, 89)

Referee: D. Hancock (Dublin) Sorry Students hammered by Longford

UCD 0-3 Longford Town
With the appearance of a side that has already accepted their fate this season, UCD offered little resistance as Longford Town came to Belfield Park and left with a barely-contested three points.

Shane Barrett was once again the focal point of the midlanders’ attacks, and although he scored one and set up another, a greater edge of composure to his game would surely see his personal tally multiply.

UCD were without first-choice goalkeeper Pat Jennings, Paul Doolin relying on inexperienced netminder Austin O’Neill between the sticks.

Barrett set up the first goal of the game shortly after the half hour mark, teeing up Darragh Sheridan - back after suspension - to fire to the net.

Robbie Griffin should have seen the Students level before the break, but fluffed a chance when put through on Town goalkeeper Stephen O’Brien.

And the home side were punished for that immediately after the restart for the second half, Barrett finding the net himself to give his side daylight.

Second half substitute Sean Francis volleyed home from Alan Kirby’s cross 13 minutes from the end to condemn UCD to their eleventh defeat in 18 league games. For form side Longford, on the other hand, this victory is a sixth in seven games, and lifts them into fourth place in the table, just three points behind leaders Shelbourne.

UCD: O’Neill, Sullivan, Davey, McNally, McAuley, O’Donnell, Cawley, Martin, Gallen (Leech, 56), Griffin, Ryan (McDonnell, 56).

Longford Town: O’Brien, Murphy, Prunty, McGovern, Ferguson, Perth, Sheridan, Kirby, Byrne (Dillon, 62), Lavine (Francis, 58), Barrett (Murphy, 89)

Referee: D. Hancock (Dublin)


www.elevenaside.com

:( Not looking good, is it. Still, half a season to go.

I have to say that I thought O'Neill did well. He didn't seem that happy with the crosses alright, but he did display admirable reflexes. I thought far less of Jennings on his debut.