Bohemians too strong for UCD as they banish agony of Dundalk defeat

Bohemians 3 UCD 0

Bohemians moved back up to second in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division table with a commanding win over UCD at Dalymount Park.

Dinny Corcoran and Conor Levingston goals either side of the break served to deflate the challenge of the Students, before Danny Grant’s 55th-minute strike ensured the Gypsies issued an immediate response to last Monday’s agonising defeat in Dundalk.

Buoyed by their own dramatic comeback victory over Cork City in Belfield last Monday, it was UCD who played the brighter football during the opening exchanges. After midfielder Richie O’Farrell headed a Gary O’Neill corner against the crossbar, Yoyo Mahdy produced a superb save from Bohemians goalkeeper James Talbot.

Having weathered this initial storm, Keith Long’s side started to grow in confidence. Their most potent attacking threat came down the right flank, where Andy Lyons and the recalled Grant were combining to telling effect.

When UCD’s Mark Dignam collided with the latter just shy of the interval, referee Paul Tuite immediately pointed to the spot. Bohs centre forward Corcoran coolly dispatched the resulting penalty past Conor Kearns for his fifth goal of the campaign.

While UCD could consider themselves unfortunate to be trailing their Dublin rivals, they were ruthlessly exposed on the resumption. Grant picked out an unmarked Levingston in the 51st minute and the industrious midfielder fired home in clinical fashion.

An off-season recruit from Brighton & Hove Albion, Danny Mandroiu was exerting a major influence in the Bohs attack. Though his subsequent long-range shot crashed off the woodwork, Grant was on hand to finish off the ensuing rebound.

Ahead of their visit to league leaders Shamrock Rovers next Tuesday, it was understandable that Bohs eased off in the closing stages. Despite their admirable endeavours throughout, UCD consequently remain second-from-bottom in the top flight.

BOHEMIANS: Talbot; Lyons, Finnerty, Barry, Leahy; Buckley (McCourt, 76 mins), Levingston; Grant (Reghba, 73 mins), Mandroiu, Devaney (Graydon, 69 mins); Corcoran.

UCD: Kearns; Tobin, Collins, Scales, Dignam (Davis, 64 mins); Farrugia, Doyle, O’Neill, O’Farrell, McClelland (Molloy, 64 mins); Mahdy (McDonald, 64 mins).

Referee: P Tuite (Dublin).