UCD teach City a lesson
UCD…………………………… 1
CORK CITY…………………… 0
U19 SOCCER
Daire Walsh
AARON Robinson’s 63rd minute goal was the difference between the sides in Leixlip Amenities Centre on Saturday afternoon, when Cork City were on the receiving end of a one-goal defeat in the opening game of their SSE Airtricity U19 National League Section 1 campaign.
The Leesiders have enjoyed great success in this competition in recent years but in spite of the best endeavours from captain Cian Coleman, Connor Ellis and substitute Chiedozie Ogbene, they couldn’t break down a hard-working UCD defence.
The Belfield boys were eager to get their own season off to a good start, and they included Daire O Conchubhair in the starting line-up, fresh from his goal-scoring exploits for UCD’s first-team against Athlone Town last Monday (August 17).
Stephen Bermingham’s outfit also travelled to the north Kildare venue in expectation, though, and the industrious Christopher Coleman was narrowly off-target in the opening minute of the contest. This was a warning sign for UCD, and with 10 minutes gone, Cork had arguably the clearest opportunity of the first-half.
Ellis picked out Christopher Coleman in the area after breaking forward purposely on the left-wing, but the midfielder’s side-footed effort drifted past the right-hand post. This was a major let-off for the south Dubliners but even though O Conchubhair dropped deep to provide assistance to Robinson and Andrew O’Reilly in central midfield, they were limited to speculative attempts from distance on the Cork goal.
Ellis was always a threat in the final-third for Cork, but as the half progressed, a goalless opening period was becoming a distinct possiblity. However, with just two minutes remaining in the half, Aaron Drinan’s header (via an enticing Timmy Murphy cross) produced a fine save from UCD custodian Karl Skinner.
A late O Conchubhair effort marginally cleared the posts, but when referee Paula Brady’s half-time whistle sounded, the teams remained inseparable.
A strong block was required from City right-back Kevin Taylor to divert O Conchubhair’s shot away from the target straight after the restart, and with chances coming at a premium, every defensive intervention was potentially crucial.
Just past the hour mark, as Robinson headed into the left-hand corner of the Cork net from an O’Reilly corner.
There was now an onus on Cork to force their Metropolitan counterparts on the back-foot. The introduction of Ogbene offered fresh impetus to the City play, and in a direct response to Robinson’s opener, he opened up the play with a mazy run through the heart of the UCD rearguard.
After creating space, he picked out Drinan with a weighted pass, and the lively striker’s attempt was eventually deflected over the top. Thanks to the arrival of Mark Buckley, Pierce Phillips and Garan Manley, Cork had energy in the closing-quarter.
Their direct approach certainly kept UCD on their toes, and Ellis’ dangerous 88th minute free-kick from the left-wing almost connected with Cork players. Try as they might, though, Cork couldn’t secure the equaliser, and they will be hoping to bounce back against Bray in Bishopstown on Saturday afternoon.
UCD: Karl Skinner; Darragh Corcoran, Liam Scales, Joshua Collins, Sean Byrne; Kevin Coffey (Conor Crowley 75), Aaron Robinson, Andrew O’Reilly, Jason McClelland; Daire O Conchubhair, Robert Manley.
CORK CITY: David Coffey; Kevin Taylor, Conor McCarthy, George Gill, Timmy Murphy (Garan Manley 84); William Cronin (Mark Buckley 68), Cian Coleman, Christopher Coleman (Pierce Phillips 75), Adam Horgan (Chiedozie Ogbene 58); Connor Ellis, Aaron Drinan.
Referee: Paula Brady (Dublin).