UCD 3-1 Monaghan United

**pineapple stu** · 06/03/2005, 12:15 AM

UCD overcame a very physical Monaghan side in another low-key friendly on the pitch outside Belfield Park this afternoon. As with the Kilkenny game the previous weekend, it's hard to see what will have been gained from the tie.

Back after missing the Kilkenny game through injury were Brian Gannon and Robbie Martin, though the former in particular was nearly put out of action again by some very rough Monaghan challenges, one of which (coupled with dissent) saw United reduced to ten men with about 15 minutes remaining. Neil Gallagher and Paul Byrne, only back from the Collingwood disappointment, didn't feature, while Pat McWalter, who also travelled to Limerick, made just a cameo appearance for the last few minutes. Apart from those and the still-injured Rob McAuley, however, it was a full-strength College side, which ultimately proved too much for the Mons to handle.

To say the first half was uneventful would be kind to it. Practically nothing of note happened in the opening period before the game burst into life in the second, starting with a lead goal for UCD not 90 seconds in. Gary Dicker played a superb through ball for Anto Murphy - with Robbie Martin in accompaniment - to run onto, and he deftly chipped over the advancing keeper to score despite the efforts of a covering Monaghan defender, who ended up hoofing the ball into the roof of his own net in his attempts to clear.

The goal was no more than College deserved, as they were generally the better side without creating any clear-cut chances until then. Fifteen minutes later, a Tony McDonnell scissors-kick smacked off the underside of the bar and away with the keeper baeten all ends up. But the second goal was coming, and it arrived midway through the half - Gary Dicker finishing superbly with an angled scissors-kick volley from a cross from the right.

A minute later, it could ahve been 3-0 as Robbie Martin found himself clear through on goal only for the Mons keeper to save at Martin's feet. But it was only postponing the inevitable, as a couple of miuntes later, a low cross from Mick O'Donnell found Tony Mac lurking at the far post, and as Monaghan looked for offside, the captain was left with the simplest of tap-ins.

Monaghan did pull one goal back when a free from the left was touched home past Darren Quigley, but a couple of minutes after, they were reduced to ten men for the latest in a series of overly-physical challenges - Monaghan had already picked up two or three yellows as well.

The quality of the pitch, while markedly better than last week, was still poor and again took away from the exercise. However, given how other teams' pre-seasons are going, we can't complain with our record of two wins and six goals from two games. Next up for the College is the Irish Amateur team on Tuesday evening at the AUL, followed by a home tie against Dundalk on Saturday.

UCD - Quigley (Whelan?); Mahon, Gannon, McNally, Kenna (Kierans); McDonnell, Anto Murphy, Dicker, O'Donnell; Adrian Murphy (Brophy), Martin (McWalter)

**Poor Student** · 06/03/2005, 8:51 AM

Couldn't make it to this game. Glad to hear we won. I am not sure why some clubs go at it hell for leather in friendlies like it sounds Monaghan did. It disgusts me to see real rough play in pre season friendlies. Why still no sign of Dupuy?

**pineapple stu** · 06/03/2005, 3:58 PM

Dunno where Dupuy was. Thought I heard a French accent, but he wasn't playing anyway. Heard afterwards he was still injured. Thought I saw Aidan Lynch in jeans and a hat as well - doesn't seem to have signed yet anyway...

**De Town** · 06/03/2005, 4:01 PM

Hows Adrian Murphy doing?

**pineapple stu** · 06/03/2005, 4:05 PM

Not bad. Scored on his debut last week against Kilkenny. Quality of the pitch we're playing on is making it fairly hard to play decent football though, so hard to tell how good he is at the moment. Wait until after the Tolka game for a proper answer!

**wexford boy** · 07/03/2005, 10:00 AM

Went along to the game and i think kenna is a class player.dicker also very good.Big step up for ucd this year but i think you have the players and the staff to stay up no problem.

**John83** · 08/03/2005, 4:16 PM

Originally Posted by wexford boy

Went along to the game and i think kenna is a class player.

True, true.

dicker also very good.

I seem to be the only one who thinks he's not ready yet. I'd be happy with him on the bench, but I'll be pleasantly surprised to see him do well as the main playmaker this season. I've a nasty feeling that we'll be a bit blunt in attack, and not because of the strikers for once.

**Aberdonian Stu** · 08/03/2005, 4:54 PM

Dicker is nowhere near ready.

I pity the fool who thinks he is.

I also agree that for once it will be the supply that will be the main problem for our attack this year.

**pineapple stu** · 08/03/2005, 8:55 PM

I assume we never got that winger Mahon was saying he was looking for? Probably be on the lookout at the schoolboy trials in June, I suppose. Looks like Newguy's going to be at full-back, which leaves Micko, Podgo, Anto Murphy and Kierans on the wing - none of them really out-and-out wingers.

**Poor Student** · 08/03/2005, 9:35 PM

I am not so sure we'll have supply trouble. That pitch is crap and one wing is rendered ineffective by a heavy slope. Micko can whip in some nice crosses. I'm not sure who will be going down the right, but hopefully they can link well with Mahon's charges forward. I missed this game but in the Kilkenny game his partner on the right wing wasn't linking well with him to his annoyance. Hopefully Dicker can fill the void left by Finn to link up with the front men from centre mid. For me the jury is certainly out on Anto Murphy. I've never been impressed with him when he's playing.

Btw, anyone know if Philly Hughes was snapped up by anyone? And what is the latest news on Lynch?

**Schumi** · 09/03/2005, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Looks like Newguy's going to be at full-back

I wouldn't be so sure about that, he was only at left-back against Kilkenny because Robbie Mac was out. We haven't had anyone settled at right wing in the two games so far so I wouldn't be surprised if Gannon makes that position his when the season starts.

Philly Hughes is playing for Monaghan.

**pineapple stu** · 09/03/2005, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by Schumi

Philly Hughes is playing for Monaghan.

Aye, played up front for them on Saturday.

**pineapple stu** · 09/03/2005, 12:56 PM

Thread on the Monaghan forum about the game.

**Poor Student** · 09/03/2005, 2:36 PM

They certainly doubt your objectivity Stu

**pineapple stu** · 09/03/2005, 5:14 PM

Not enough not to cog from my match report though!

**pineapple stu** · 07/04/2005, 7:15 PM

Originally Posted by Aberdonian Stu

Dicker is nowhere near ready.

I pity the fool who thinks he is.

I also agree that for once it will be the supply that will be the main problem for our attack this year.

Wonder what you make of that first comment now? Think Dicker's been doing fairly well so far.

Though you got the second part spot on...