UCD 2
Waterford 1
Dave Donnelly reports from the UCD Bowl
UCD WILL CONTEST an FAI Cup semi-final for the first time in over a decade after the First Division leaders saw off high-flying Waterford in Belfield.
Conor Davis and Timmy Molloy scored within seven first-half minutes to keep the Students in with a shout of a remarkable league and cup double.
Stanley Aborah pulled a goal back for Waterford from the penalty spot after Gary O’Neill had upended Rory Feely, but the Students deservedly held out for a famous win.
The visitors arrived with a large and vocal support but, a strong opening quarter-hour aside, they struggled to create a single clear chance in 90 minutes.
Waterford set up with a narrow diamond in midfield and turned their extra numbers in the middle into possession early on, but had little to show for it in front of goal.
Bastien Héry lashed a loose ball over the top and Gavan Holohan turned a shot wide after catching Sloggett in possession inside his own half, but it was slim pickings for the Blues.
Gradually UCD got on top, and it was a wonderful low cross from Sloggett that picked out Davis for the first, the former Reading man sliding in to beat ex-UCD keeper Niall Corbet.
Six minutes later, it was two as Timmy Molloy picked the ball up on the edge of the box from a corner and, dropping a shoulder, he lashed the ball over a crowd scene into the top corner.
The Students looked the more likely to add to the scoreline in the second half and both Molloy and captain O’Neill had chances to see the game out.
And it was O’Neill’s uncharacteristic error that handed the Blues a lifeline late on, but they couldn’t find the second goal to force a replay and the Students marched on as worthy winners.
UCD: Kearns; Tobin, Scales, Collins, Osam; Sloggett, O’Neill, Molloy (Doyle 80); Farrugia (O’Connor 84), McClelland, Davis (Mahdy 88).
Waterford: Corbet; Comerford, Browne, Webster, Barnett; Hutchinson (Aborah 46), Hery, Keegan (Feely 59), Holohan; O’Halloran, Akinade (Duffus 37).
Referee: John McLoughlin.
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R.I.P.
@Mícheál Moran: awful news, heart goes out to his family
Tragic news. Thoughts are with his family. May he rest in peace.
That’s so sad
I just felt ridiculously sad reading that.. 41 year old former athlete. Cancer is so horrible, we all must know someone touched by it.
Terrible news. Why does life have to be so cruel to those so young. May he rest in peace
R. I. P.
Condolences to family & friends.
Very sad news. God love his family. No doubt he fought this like he played football… he gave it everything.
Very disrespectful to call him ‘O’Connor’ instead of his first name. Shame on you at the Journal
@Carol Cunningham: actually change my post to ‘Shame on you Fintan O’Brien’
‘
@Carol Cunningham: I don’t think any disrespect was meant. Usually sports stars are referred to by their surname.
@Carol Cunningham: calm down
@Carol Cunningham: Christ, you have a lot to be complaining about. Maybe just leave your sympathies to this man’s family and be done with it. A journalist calling him by his surname as would be done when he was a player is hardly disrespectful to the man. The piece is well written and strikes the right tone.
Clearly a good man in every field of life. Condolences to his wife and young children, it’s always heart breaking to see someone so young and strong taken from all that knew and loved him. He was a fine player RIP
May he rest in peace
Terrible parallels with the 1990 team. RIP Kieran. So sad this evening
RIP.
Rip kieran.all Ireland winner.
Jesus that’s terrible news. Saw him a good few times playing with cork & he was a tough competitor. Condolences to his family & friends at this tough time RIP
Rip Kieran. A gentleman.
Condolences to Kierans family and friends. So sad to see someone so young taken from us. Rip
RIP.
Terrible news. RIP.
A tragically young age. RIP
So sad.
Great player from a great club.
Condolences to his family.
R.I.P.
Terrible news.rip keiran..
Mo chomhbhrón
God bless good sir
Very sad News,fought hard tough battle with bravery & Grace,my condolences to the family & close friends!
RIP
Rest in peace .
God rest his soul and give his family strength at this difficult time rip.
Can I just say how much of a class act Davy Russell is.
Great ambassador for Cork Football and so sad for his family & community. Condolences.
R.I.P