Dundalk book FAI Cup semi-final place despite wholesale changes

Dundalk players celebrate after Ciaran Kilduff's winning goal. Tom Beary / INPHO Tom Beary / INPHO / INPHO

UCD 0

Dundalk 1

THE FIXTURE CONGESTION over the last couple of weeks hasn’t gotten the better of Dundalk just yet as they safely ensured their passage into the last four of the FAI Cup with a 1-0 win over UCD in Belfield tonight.

After five games in 15 days, the reigning cup holders could’ve been forgiven if they had a let-up in performance but instead put in a dominant display to see off the students.

Stephen Kenny made wholesale changes to his side but it mattered little, with a goal from the returning Ciaran Kilduff enough for the Lilywhites as they moved a step closer to retaining their cup crown.

Dundalk set the pace in the opening stages, with Kilduff having a shot blocked before the Kildare man turned provider after a neat team move to set up Michael O’Connor, whose sliced effort went just over.

The visitors’ power and pace were evident as Robbie Benson found Kilduff rampaging through the middle, with the striker failing to get his shot off before the ricochet fell to Benson who curled a left-footed shot just wide.

Cathal Brady showed that the First Division side had the potential to punish on the break though as he smashed an effort off the post from distance.

Dundalk's Chris Shields wins a header against UCD's Cathal Brady. Tom Beary / INPHO Tom Beary / INPHO / INPHO

The Louth side were retaining possession well through Benson and Chris Shields in midfield, as Kilduff had another great opportunity 10 minutes before the break when he was played through by Dean Shiels but skewed his chip wide when one-on-one with Niall Corbet.

Dundalk’s Ciaran O’Connor had a strong claim for a penalty when he was bundled over in the box by Mark Langtry but referee Derek Tomney waved away strong claims for a spot-kick.

The trend of the game continued after the resumption, with Dundalk on the front foot with Daryl Horgan coming on for the injured O’Connor. He won a corner down the left which allowed Benson to find Chris Shields, who just couldn’t find the target with a diving header.

The UCD goal continued to lead a charmed life as Maxi Kouogun denied Benson going through on a goal with a desperate tackle and then Shields again missed with a free header from six yards.

Dundalk finally made their dominance pay midway through the second half as Horgan stood up a cross to the back post, where former UCD man Kilduff was waiting to nod into the roof of the net.

Gary O’Neill had a couple of long-range efforts saved by Gabriel Sava before the double-chasing champions had another great chance as Horgan and Kilduff linked up again, with the latter failing to get a shot off with the goal at his mercy.

Horgan should’ve got on the scoresheet before the conclusion as he fired just over and then hit the side netting from close range, before Kilduff missed another couple of good chances.

Dundalk: Gabriel Sava; George Poynton, Alan Keane, Paddy Barrett, Shane Grimes; Dean Shiels (Andy Boyle, 74), Ciaran O’Connor (Daryl Horgan, 45), Robbie Benson, Chris Shields, Michael O’Connor (Patrick McEleney, 54); Ciaran Kilduff.

UCD: Niall Corbet; Mark Langtry, Liam Scales (Jason Byrne, 90), Tomas Boyle, Maxi Kouogun (Josh Collins, 75); Greg Sloggett, Kieran Marty Waters, Gary O’Neill, Jack Watson (Georgie Kelly, 79), Cathal Brady; Ryan Swan.

Referee: Derek Tomney.

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