UCD 0
Dundalk 2
Paul Buttner reports from the UCD Bowl
TEENAGER RYAN O’KANE scored a goal of the month contender to seal Dundalk’s victory at the UCD Bowl.
Leading through John Martin’s first half strike and with UCD chasing the game late on, O’Kane struck in the 94th minute.
Collecting an Alfie Lewis pass, the 19-year-old got his head up and struck a stunning right-foot shot that arrowed into the net off the underside of the crossbar to add to his first goal of the season in Friday’s derby win over Drogheda United.
📽️ | The screamers keep coming!
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) May 1, 2023
A terrific hit from Ryan O'Kane to wrap up the three points for Stephen O'Donnell's team! 🔥
UCD 0-2 Dundalk #UCDDUN | #LOI pic.twitter.com/I372alx7HL
Back-to-back wins move Stephen O’Donnell’s Dundalk back up to fourth place in the table.
UCD remain three points adrift of Cork City at the bottom.
Despite a promising opening it was the 35th minute before the game sparked to life with Dundalk taking the lead.
The UCD marking was lax from O’Kane’s corner as Martin, fresh from his late winner which downed Drogheda, ghosted in completely unattended at the back post to score.
It was an hour before UCD finally worked Nathan Shepperd, Danny Norris finding a pocket of space on the left to bring a good save from the Dundalk goalkeeper down to his left.
Substitute Jake Doyle then spurned UCD’s best chance of an equaliser right on 90 minutes when shooting wide before O’Kane made sure of the three points for Dundalk with his moment of magic.
UCD: Moore; Osam, Keaney, Wells, Dempsey; Keane (Doyle, 74), Higgins (Gallagher, 54); Behan, Norris (Izekor, 84), Nolan (O’Connor, 84); Kinsella-Bishop (Clarke, 54).
Dundalk: Shepperd; Davies, Williams, Muller, Leahy; Lewis, Malley; Yli-Kokko (Hoban, 65), Tulloch (Doyle, 88), O’Kane; Martin (Benson, 65; Ward, 69).
Referee: Sean Grant (Wexford).
I hope he’s right, a win like Sunday’s can be a massive boost to any team. It’s going to be a great few weeks of a run in
@samstheman:
Many a title was won by winning ugly, particularly at this end of the season. The Manchester Derby is the big one in the race. Can’t see Chelsea causing Liverpool any dramas at Anfield and City will roll Spurs at home too.
@Nollaig Elliot: think Cardiff away could be a big game for pool. They’ll play for a point so up to pool to break down a 10 man defence.
@Nollaig Elliot: I’m not expecting it to be one bit pretty to be honest
@Cormac Flanagan:
Maybe so, but don’t Cardiff need to be going for games? If so, that will suit Liverpool. Draws will be no good for them now.
@samstheman:
Haha, I bet you’re not.
@Cormac Flanagan: Cardiff will be well gone by then.
Man City are playing twice a week every game for the rest of the season. There bound to drop pts at least once, probably twice
Top maths
@Mark Collins: it’s not really , does he not realise that they need City to drop points also
@David Weston: pretty sure he does , anyone with half a brain can read between the lines
@Peter Govan: yes of course he does ..
I think they willbut City will also.
If Liverpool and City both win every game left in the PL (not entirely unrealistic), Liverpool would come second with 97 points, which for me, as a Liverpool fan, would be absolutely sickening, but yet so typical