UCD 2
Sligo Rovers 1
Paul Buttner reports from the UCD Bowl
A FREAK EQUALISER from Sam Clarke and a stunning Jake Doyle strike gave UCD an unlikely come from behind win over Sligo Rovers at the UCD Bowl.
Trailing to Jack Keaney’s first half own goal, UCD plugged away with limited possession in the second half and levelled in unconventional fashion on 74 minutes.
Sligo left-back Danny Lafferty shepherded substitute Daniel Kinsella-Bishop’s header back to goalkeeper Luke McNicholas.
But the alert Clarke, on the pitch just 30 seconds, rushed down the clearance with the ball striking him full in the face to roll past the stranded McNicholas and into the net for a bizarre first senior goal for the 19-year-old.
📽️ | Another night of screamers...
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) June 23, 2023
...and then there's this!
Sami Clarke's goal helped UCD on their way to a brilliant win against Sligo Rovers 👏#UCDSLI | #LOI pic.twitter.com/SsRCbPogj1
Doyle, just 18, then won it for College on 85 minutes when getting on the end of Alex Nolan’s in-swinging free kick to find the top corner with a sublime header.
Kian Moore secured the three points with a brilliant save on 88 minutes, somehow turning Max Mata’s header over the crossbar.
The victory ends a run of eight straight defeats for UCD who reduce their deficit at the foot of the table to 12 points.
A damaging defeat for Sligo means they have now won just once in eight games and remain two points ahead of Cork City in the relegation play-off place.
Sligo enjoyed plenty of possession from the off and deserved their 22nd minute lead from the first corner of the game.
Johan Brannefalk’s delivery was nodded down at the back post by John Mahon. Captain David Cawley got to the loose ball to get his shot away with UCD skipper, and former Sligo defender, Keaney deflecting it into his own net.
UCD’s chief threat Doyle worked McNicholas for the first time nine minutes into the second half before the real drama unfolded late on.
UCD: Moore; Babb, Keaney, Wells, Osam; O’Regan (Kinsella-Bishop, 62); Nolan, Barr, Gallagher (Clarke, 73), Norris (O’Brien, 88); Doyle.
Sligo Rovers: McNicholas; Brannefalk, Mahon, Pijnaker, Lafferty; Morahan (Barlow, 75), Browning, Cawley (Bolger, 67); Radosavljevic (Liivak, 60), Mata, Fitzgerald.
Referee: Adriano Reale (Wexford).
Absolutely terrible decision that has to be a red card , high speed neck high challenge to stop a goal scoring opportunity. Very generous refereeing for Galway in that first half
Coen was a lucky boy
Terrible decision!
That was one seriously dangerous challenge and he should have walked . The short conversation with linesman had me convinced he was gone.
Hurling > football
Lower viewing figures, less participating counties…..
Hoping for a Galway win, Kilkenny will shade it no doubt!!
So the location of the match is at Old Trafford?
When did Mick McCarthy lose his lovely quiff & when did he start managing Galway ?
Boring. Kilkenny too good again. Hurling becoming a joke.
Galway resorting to Dublin tactics and being facilitated by ref
Zzzzzzzzzzzzz
You mean Kilkenny tactics?
Big time bottlers are Galway, not helped by some terrible refereeing
Galway can’t complain about refereeing, got 2 points from soft overcarrying decisions and should have had 14 men for the whole 2nd half
OMG Stick Wars !!
It was disgusting to see half of the Kilkenny crowd leave before the cup was presented, talk about arrogance.
Galway could have won it but the Cats ‘re the best for a reason, great second half display by them.
Maybe next year Galway…
Well done, Galway. A few stats! Galway all Ireland Intermediate champs, All Ireland Minor Champs, and 2nd best Senior team in the country…and the Ladies to come yet…Not bad, I suggest…
Keep it going, Galway.
Great Kilkenny team, no argument. But they will be stopped sometime!!
How can the 42 not get the full time score correct?
Great Galway display, against an indisputable set of Kilkenny legends. No doubt about that. But just remember a little stat (to the knockers!). Galway= all Ireland Intermediate champs, All Ireland Minor Champs and 2nd best Seniors in the country and all for 2015. And the Ladies Camogie has to come yet in the all Ireland… Not bad stats? So, Galway, well done, a credit to yourselves. And under great leadership.
Man of the stadium: Messi
Jonny Ryan a legend