Dundalk forced to settle for a draw against UCD

SSE Airtricity League First Division leaders Dundalk FC were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against playoff contenders UCD in a lacklustre affair at Oriel Park.

The Lilywhites edged in front during the first half through a well-taken strike by Harry Groome, but their advantage was erased when Adam Verdon curled home a free-kick, ensuring the spoils were shared.

Dundalk’s cushion at the summit could be reduced to just four points if Cobh Ramblers prevail over Longford Town on Saturday.

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The hosts signalled their intent from the outset, fashioning a chance within the opening 20 seconds as the ball fell kindly to Sean Keogh on the edge of the area. However, his ambitious strike soared harmlessly over the crossbar.

UCD responded with a chance of their own on nine minutes, Adam Wells rising highest but directing his header over the target.

Spurred into action, Dundalk began to assert themselves more forcefully in pursuit of an opener. Captain Daryl Horgan saw a driven effort deflected narrowly wide, before delivering a teasing cross from the left that found the head of Dean Ebbe—though his effort was comfortably gathered by UCD goalkeeper Dara Kavanagh.

Luke Mulligan, the match-winner in their dramatic 3-2 triumph over Wexford, then tried his luck, only to be denied once more by the vigilant Kavanagh.

The breakthrough finally came on 26 minutes. A teasing delivery into the area from Keogh was poorly dealt with by former Dundalk stalwart Ronan Finn, allowing Horgan to retrieve and square the ball to Groome, who rifled home a superb finish from the edge of the box to open his Dundalk account in style.

But the lead was short-lived. Just eight minutes later, UCD were handed a lifeline when Aodh Dervin was penalised for a handball. From the resulting free-kick, Verdon curled the ball home despite the efforts of Dundalk goalkeeper Enda Minogue.

Dundalk came agonisingly close to restoring their advantage in first-half stoppage time, when Ebbe, meeting a cross from Leo Gaxha, turned over from close range.

Just three minutes into an otherwise uninspired second half, Brian McManus came close to giving UCD the lead with a volley that fizzed narrowly wide.

At the other end, Eoin Kenny’s effort on 55 minutes lacked conviction and posed little threat to Kavanagh.

As the contest wore on, it was UCD who appeared the more likely to snatch all three points. Finn’s inviting set-piece was met by substitute Mikey Raggett, whose header drifted wide, while a second free-kick from Verdon moments later had Minogue scrambling, the ball skimming just inches past the post with under ten minutes to play.

Mulligan could have scored a second stoppage-time winner in as many matches, but his shot from outside the box was fired over as Ciaran Kilduff’s side had settle for just the single point.

Dundalk FC: Enda Minogue; Luke Mulligan, Mayowa Animasahun, Vinnie Leonard, Sean Keogh; Aodh Dervin (Keith Ward 70), Harry Groome (Sean McHale 58); Eoin Kenny (Shane Tracey 70), Daryl Horgan, Leo Gaxha; Dean Ebbe (Andy Paraschiv 58)

Subs not used: Peter Cherrie (gk), Sammy Safaei (gk), Sean Spaight, Muhammad Haris, TJ Molloy

UCD: Dara Kavanagh; Adam Wells (Luke O’Regan 74), Cathal McCarthy, Niall Holohan (Eanna Clancy 64), Brian McManus; Ronan Finn (Colin Bolton 88), Adam Verdon; Sam Norval (Ciaran Behan 64), Sean Brennan (Mikey Raggett 74), Killian Cailloce; Jake Doyle

Subs not used: Kian Moore (gk), Carl Lennox, Odhran McLaughlin, Adam Brennan

Referee: Aaron O’Dowd (Dublin)

Attendance: 1,587