UCD AFC lost 2-0 to Dundalk FC on Friday night in the UCD Bowl but other results on the night guarentee another year in the Airtricity League.

Bolger robs Miller in the centre circle and suddenly the Dundalk defenders are on the back foot.   Bolger to Kilduff who transfers the ball expertly to sharpshooter David McMillan.   He’s in the clear but visiting keeper Cherrie is quickly down to parry. 

Two minutes later the younger McMillan is knocking on the door again, Bolger again the ball winning provider. This time McMIllen strikes from 30 yards, a powerful drive, but again the keeper is equal to the test, tipping the ball over.

I chart the beautiful game as played by UCD but most of the sweeping multi pass movements that please the eye will not make this report because there is no end product to justify their inclusion and when the Students really threaten there’s always Peter Cherrie.   Now the Scottish keeper foils Mulhall at close range.

An engrossing game is twenty minutes old.   It started with each side probing their opponents but now UCD are beginning to turn the screw.   Drogheda skipper Liam Burns is finding Dave McMIllan a handful, Bolger and Corry are winning the midfield and Keith Ward is strutting his stuff.   Words have been exchanged and Dundalk’s Irish under-21 star Daniel Kearns has been carrying a painful shoulder injury since the 5^th minute.   Ironically, it’s his departure after half an hour that effectively wins the match for the visitors.   On comes Stephen Maher to brush past Nangle on the flank, cut in along the bye line and lay the ball back for Kuduzovic to score from point blank range.

It’s against the run of the play but somehow not unexpected and only Bennett’s hesitation prevents a second when it provides Evan McMillan the split second he needs to squirrel the ball off his toe and behind.   There are no mugs in this Dundalk side and now they hunker down to await manager Ian Foster’s half time talk.   The script changes significantly when, in time added on, referee Anthony Buttimer gives central defender Garry Breen a straight red for a tackle on Bolger.

 “Disgraceful refereeing!” is the opinion of the Dundalk photographer, normally a mild mannered man.   “A clear cut elbow!” is the posting on the Extratime Matchtracker.   Video evidence suggests that Breen was late, tackled through from behind and did lead with his elbow.   But that makes it sound like assault and, although I cannot assess Breen’s intention, there was nothing spectacular in the way of violence.   Some referees might have ignored it as a coming together in the course of play, others might have thought it warranted a booking.   But if, technically, it was a red card offence, Mr Buttimer, never a man to shirk controversy, was correct, some may say obliged, to penalise it as such.

UCD return to the second half with the energy of a side facing depleted opposition.   But the Dundalk defence, with midfielder Miller proving an excellent central defender, is resolute with Cherrie dominating his area and punching with conviction when called upon.   His ultimate challenge comes when Bennett takes out Corry and Mr Buttimer points to the spot. 

Bolger’s execution of the penalty is impressive but this is Peter Cherrie’s day.   A great save deflects the ball up the face of the crossbar and good fortune sees it drop within the keeper’s remit before a UCD foot can get to the rebound. 

75 minutes and UCD are still chasing the game as the clock ticks.   On comes Wilson on the right, Moore on the left.   But it’s all to no avail when the largely unemployed Billy Brennan gifts Dundalk the clincher.   Keeper Brennan is usually good with his feet and his short passes to defenders a commendable fit for the students style.   But, with six minutes to go and under no pressure he seems not to get close enough to the ball and his sliced contact goes straight to the nearby Johnny Breen.   All the substitute has to do to ensure Dundalk a sixth place in the table finish is slip the ball into the empty net. 

Extratime credits David O’Connor as a UCD non playing sub.   He’s in the tea room at half time, it’s Paul O’Conor on the bench.   The scribe’s error will go unnoticed, Billy Brennan’s will be on national tv on Monday.   His temperament is sound; he will survive.   And, all things being equal, I know where I’d rather be on match day.   Between the posts not in the press box. 

However, I am duty bound to conclude that you may be the better team on the night but if you miss a penalty and gift a goal you are unlikely to get any reward in the form of points.   But here’s the happy ending.    UCD old boys at Sporting guarantee their former club continued membership at elite level by beating Galway.   So, at the Bowl, everyone’s a winner, so to speak.

UCD: 1 Billy Brennan; 2 Brian Shortall, 4 Michael Leahy, 5 Evan McMillan, 3 Ciaran Nangle; 7 Chris Mulhall, 6 Greg Bolger, 8 Paul Corry, 11 Keith Ward (15 Karl Moore, 75 mins); 10 David McMillan (13 Dwayne Wilson, 67 mins), 9 Ciaran Kilduff.

Subs not used: 12 Paul O'Connor, 14 Robbie Creevy, 16 Ger Bannon.

DUNDALK: 1 Peter Cherrie; 12 Simon Madden, 6 Liam Burns (captain), 5 Garry Breen, 2 Shaun Kelly; 21 Daniel Kearns (7 Stephen Maher, 30 mins), 14 Dean Bennett, 4 Tom Miller, 11 Ross Gaynor; 10 Matthew Tipton (19 Johnny Breen, 67 mins), 9 Fahrudin Kuduzovic (15 Ciaran McGuigan, 82 mins).

Subs not used: 20 Steven Lennon, 22 Paul Murphy.
Booked: Kuduzovic, 39 mins.
Sent-off: Garry Breen, 45 mins.

REFEREE: A Buttimer (Cork).

By Brian de Salvo