DCU swept aside by free-scoring UCD

UCD 4-12
DCU 0-18

UCD survived a second half comeback to see off a spirited DCU team last Monday night in St Clare’s.

DCU were first off the mark thanks to a second minute point from Seán Grey, and four minutes later he scored again, this time from a free.

UCD had to wait until the 8th minute to get their first score and it was worth waiting for as Cian McGowan drove over a monster point from inside his own half.

DCU added three more points after this, the pick of the bunch came from full-forward Cathal Curran who made a huge catch, turned and slotted it over the bar.

Then came UCD’s purple patch. Oisin O’Rourke got two points and in full-forward Ross King capitalised on the DCU defence failing to deal with a high ball and flicked in into the net.

A minute later, Tom Phelan found the back of the net after being set up well by O’Rourke. Things got worse for DCU as UCD made it three goals in three minutes when Ross King drilled a 21-yard free into the roof of the net.

O’Rourke was on fire and added two more points before he added UCD’s fourth goal, as he pounced on a loose ball that DCU goalkeeper Barry Cushen knocked down in an attempt to prevent a point.

DCU did add three more points before the break, all frees from Seán Gray but it looked to be game over.

DCU didn’t give up, though. They opened the scoring in the second half with points from Gray and Killian Fitzgerald and started to get back into the game.

Cathal Curran took over free-taking responsibilities and became the main scoring threat. He accumulated six points in the second half, four from frees and another two from play.

But it was UCD’s full-forward Ross King that kept them slightly ahead throughout the game as he notched up three points in the second half to keep the scoreboard ticking over for the away team. Pádraig Guinan and substitute Gearóid Cullen also got a point each which helped UCD see out DCU’s spirited second half revival.

DCU: Barry Cushen, Conor O’Shea, Eoghan O’Donnell, James Tyrell, Mick Daly, Paudie Foley(0-1), Killian Fitzgerald (0-1), Tony French, Dan Staunton, Eoghan McHugh, Kevin O’Flynn, Daire Barden, Seán Gray (0-8), Cathal Curran (0-7), Niall O’Connor (0-1).
Subs: Dara Lawlor for Daire Barden (34 mins), Mick Heeney for Tony French (40 mins).

UCD team sheet unavailable.

Conor Hawkins