Bray 0-1 UCD

[pineapple stu]

UCD jumped straight to the top of their League Cup group after overcoming a Bray-ve challenge (sorry, I had to put that in! ) from the Seagulls in the Carlisle Grounds on Tuesday. A late Colm Kearins goal was enough to seal the points in what was a relatively lively encounter (by Bray v. UCD standards anyway...) between what was essentially two reserve teams.

College dominated the first half, and Chris O'Connor in the Bray goal had to be sharp to tip over a dipping Pat McWalter header. Lloyd Colfer also shot straight at O'Connor when well-placed, while Bray rarely threatened at the other end.

In the second half, the tables were reversed and Bray, playing with the wind now, were well on top, with only a fine performance from debutant Darren Quigley keeping them at bay. Quigley made a number of fine saves, including tipping away a deflected drive at the far post and a brilliant double save, the rebound from which was driven wide when it looked easier for Bray to score. For all that, though, there was the niggling feeling that Quigley was causing some of his own problems by choosing to parry rather than catch the ball at times.

When Quigley wasn't called into action, it was for fine defending from the centre-back pairing of Conor Kenna and Ciarán Foley, both making full debuts for the College. Foley in particular impressed with his ability to clean up attacks and get the ball calmly back to the keeper.

With only four minutes remaining, UCD broke for the only goal. Robbie Martin, on as a late sub, picked the ball up outside the area and laid off a lovely pass for Colm Kearins to run onto, and he held off his marker before blasting into the roof of the net from a narrow angle for a brilliant strike. There was no time for Bray to respond after that, and so College head into their tie against Shamrock Rovers at Belfield in two weeks knowing that a win will guarantee them a spot in the quarter-finals for only the third time in their history. Bray meet Shamrock Rovers in the other tie in the group next Monday.

UCD - Quigley; Sullivan (capt), Davey, Kenna, Foley; Burke (McNally), Kelly, Gaffney, McWalter; Colfer (Martin), Kearins

Att - c. 300

[Aberdonian Stu]

What are the odds both UCD and Rovers field their worst possible XI in order to try and avoid qualification.

Furthermore I expect both teams to field unregistered players in order to be docked three points.

Rough idea of the UCD starting XI


----------------------------Barry Andrews

Emmet Ryan-------Gavin Sheridan--------Tom-------------John Craddock

Pat McWalter------Ciaran Ruane---------Kevin Burke----The Arts Block Cat

-----------------John Healy------------The Belfield Bum (homeless guy who resides in the Arts block)

Subs:

Andy Wilson*
Stephen Joyce*
AN Other
Duine Eile
Ken Kilmurray

*implies that they can play football to a reasonable level and therefore wouldn't be risked for a league cup game.

[Devon]

was at the game last night. unfortunatly im a bray man! dont you realise how hard it would be for any goalkeeper to catch a ball under those slippery circumstanes? and the risk of spilling right in front of one of our strikers would have left fingers pointing at your goalkeeper.i think that when both keepers chose to parry it was the right option looking at the wet pitch.

all in all ucd deserved it with the better chances having been created by ucd pity we couldnt take advantage of our possession!

[Schumi]

was at the game last night. unfortunatly im a bray man! dont you realise how hard it would be for any goalkeeper to catch a ball under those slippery circumstanes? and the risk of spilling right in front of one of our strikers would have left fingers pointing at your goalkeeper.i think that when both keepers chose to parry it was the right option looking at the wet pitch.

I think that's fair enough. When he parried shots, it was usually into space and the defence was able to clear fairly comfortably. There was just the one occasion when Bray got a second shot in and he saved that too!

[CollegeTillIDie]

Darren Quigley

Darren Quigley is a current Republic of Ireland Schoolboy International but on Saturday next in Villa Park, he will line out for a Rest of the World Schoolboy International selection to take on England Schoolboys in an Anniversary match for the English Schoolboys Football Association. Not sure which anniversary, probably either 75th or Centenary. According to yesterday's Target supplement in The Star.

So UCD's Darren Quigley plays for a Rest of the World Selection which will be managed by Ireland's coach. All this before he plays a single Under 21 fixture for the club .