DCU have qualified for the College and Universities Football League Quarter Finals after a strong league campaign saw Declan Roche’s side finish second in the CUFL Premier League North Division behind UCD.
DCU can now look forward to the prospect of a Quarter Final in the new year, after the campaign saw the Glasnevin men pick up three wins in their five fixtures.
DCU progressed to the last eight on goal difference.
Roche’s side, also coached by former St. Patrick’s Athletic and Shelbourne boss Johnny McDonnell, enjoyed a great start to their campaign back in October thanks to a 5 -1 win over Trinity College that saw striker Alan O’Sullivan pick up a hat trick.
DCU’s opening day momentum was halted by DIT in late October when DCU conceded two late goals in the first half and simply could not recover in the second half of a frustrating game for Roche and McDonnell’s side as they slumped to a 3-1 loss.
November proved more successful for DCU as they picked up a vital victory over rivals UCD in a tight game before the challenge of NUIG was brushed aside at home in an impressive 7-0 victory to see DCU take nine points from a possible twelve.
It was to go down to the wire as a 3-0 loss to Maynooth University last week saw three teams tied on second place behind UCD on 9 points.
DCU qualified through attaining a goal difference of plus seven, compared to Maynooth University’s plus two and DIT’s minus one.
“It definitely was not a 3-0 game,” Johnny McDonnell told The College View, claiming that the scoreline was not reflecting of the performance of DCU on the day.
DCU can be thankful of their defence as Roche’s side conceded just seven goals and scored fourteen during the campaign, McDonnell felt that the team has still work to do if they are to progress further.
“It’s trying to get the balance again between scoring and conceding,” he said.
DCU won the Harding Cup in the 2016/17 season, this season has seen a lot of the young players involved in that side integrated into an already strong senior presence.
McDonnell however, is a newcomer to the DCU set up, but still felt the blend of youth and experience has added to Roche’s side.
“We’ve a good mix, we’ve a good mix definitely,” he said.
Gavin Quinn
Image Credit: Fran Butler