Students come-of-age to overtake doctors

St Vincent’s Hospital FC 0-2 UCD AFC

18 October 2019
Pearse Park Astro, Crumlin
Leinster Senior League,
Saturday Major 1B

A stuttering start to the league season continued for St Vincent’s as they suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to UCD in Crumlin.

The visitors scored twice early in the second-half in a fairly even encounter, with Vincent’s creating enough second-half opportunities to perhaps merit a share of the spoils. However, defensive lapses proved costly once more for the doctors who are yet to register a league win this season with three games now played.

Coming into the tie off the back of a thrilling 4-3 Cup win last time out, Vincent’s were hoping to bring their excellent knock-out form to league affairs. A third successive Major 1B loss leaves them looking up the table, though the season is still young, with many fixtures already rearranged due to Cup commitments.

Both sides played good football in the first-half, though goalmouth action was scarce. Vincent’s on-form striker David Gildea had a couple of half-chances when played through on goal, but a combination of good defending, swift rushing from the UCD goalkeeper and narrow angles prevented a clear sight of goal, while Cian Ward was unlucky not to profit at the back post from a couple of dangerous crosses. At the other end, Paul Whelan had to make one good save from the dangerous UCD left winger shortly before the break, tipping a scuffed shot onto the post before the students were denied a gilt-edged opportunity by the referee, who spotted a foul in the build-up to a shot.

In similar fashion to last week, Vincent’s emerged from the interval sluggishly and conceded a quick-fire brace. On the first occasion, a UCD attacker capitalised on a heavy first touch to race through and slot past Whelan, before they doubled their advantage from a second ball after a wide free kick. To their credit, the hosts rallied and created a series of chances, with substitute Paul Bourke coming closest – his effort was excellently palmed aside by the UCD goalkeeper. Alas, there was to be no repeat of the miracle comeback from last time out and the away side held on to a clean sheet to secure their first league victory of the season.

With plenty of fixtures to come, an unbeaten record in Cup competitions and an ever-growing pool of strong squad options, the outlook is bright as the nights get longer, despite an underwhelming opening to the Major 1B campaign. The doctors will, however, be without new signing Ian Daly for a number of weeks after he sustained a nasty wrist injury – everyone at the club wishes him a speedy recovery and swift return to both practise and the football pitch.

Matchday squad (4-3-3): Paul Whelan, David Kennedy, Kieran Keane (c), Colm Kirby, Barra Neary, John Cosgrove, Kevin Nally, Andy Delany, Cian Ward, David Gildea, Eddy Wrynn
Subs: Paul Bourke, David Carolan