Dundalk Institute of Technology 1
Dublin City University 2
Colleges and Universities Football League Premier Division
A dominant second half display from Dublin City University earned a win over Dundalk Institute of Technology at Oriel Park on Wednesday, October 12th.
An Alan O’Sullivan goal in each half was enough to get DCU over the line in a tough away game to kick start the new season.
DCU took the lead 18 minutes into the first half, but confusion among the defence allowed Dundalk back into the game from a corner. Luckily, O’Sullivan was at hand to provide the winner in the second half and earn all three points.
Each side enjoyed bits and pieces of possession but it was DCU that looked more comfortable and threatening in the opening 15 minutes.
The first chance fell to DCU in the very early stages of the first half when Jamie Lennon and Jack O’Connor linked up down the left side, O’Connor played a good ball into the box which fell to the feet of Rory Feely but he fluffed his shot over the bar.
O’Connor was unlucky not to have a goal of his own ten minutes later after a good ball through by Alan O’Sullivan, he wrong-footed the Dundalk defender but his near-post effort was saved by the feet of the keeper.
They were rewarded for this pressure when an Alan O’Sullivan shot beat a blindsided keeper to put the away side one up.
The ball landed at the feet of O’Sullivan after Dundalk failed to deal with a corner, he shot through six defenders to beat Dylan Sweeney in goal.
For the minutes that followed it looked as though DCU were going to double their lead shortly after, but the home side held out well.
Dundalk then began to get a foothold in the game, enjoying a nice period of possession and pushing the Dublin defence back.
With 15 minutes remaining in the opening half, they found themselves level from a corner.
Roy Kierans played the ball in and after some miscommunication in the box, the ball was stumbled in by Ciarán Cluskey-Kelly.
From here it was the Louth side that looked the more threatening going forward – but it was DCU that came closest to taking the lead.
The break at halftime seemed to settle the away side that started the second 45 on the offensive. They then took a deserved lead 10 minutes in, with O’Sullivan netting his second of the game.
After a series of dangerous attacks, Rory Feely found space inside the DKIT box and floated a lovely ball onto the head of O’Sullivan, who guided his header into the far corner.
DCU did not rest on their laurels from here, but instead went in search of a third goal to kill off the game. This was almost provided with 10 minutes to go, but Sweeney pulled off another goal stopping save.
From the counter attack DKIT almost found an equaliser when substitute Izy Chiemka played Roy Kierans through but was fouled in the process. Controversially, the referee did not let the play go on, instead calling it back for a free kick; a decision not appreciated by the home dugout.
DCU continued to dominate for the remaining 10 minutes of the game, and manager Declan Roche was impressed by his side’s work rate.
“I thought it was an outstanding performance and everyone worked their socks off so I was delighted with that,” Roche told The College View after the game.
“In the second half I felt we dominated, we were outstanding at some points, got a lovely second goal and could have another.”
Despite his team conceding a goal from a set piece, Roche was also pleased with side’s overall defensive performance.
“On the goal itself, we’re a big strong team and I don’t expect to be conceding many goals, especially from set pieces but we had a missed header. I was happy with the way we responded.
“We defended well and managed the game well in the end. I’m very happy to start with a win.”
DKIT: Dylan Sweeney; Craig Pentony, Ciarán O’Connor, Ciarán Cluskey-Kelly, Emmet Hughes; Keith Dalton, Dean Watters, Anto Reilly, George Poyton (c), Roy Kierans; Seán O’Connor.
Subs: David Kirk, Dom Mahon, Izy Chiemka, Gavin Smith, Sam Reilly.
DCU: Patrick Dunican; Kevin Molloy, Jack Blake, Gavan Kearney, Eric Whelan; Jack Watson (c), Jamie Lennon, Luke Keely, Jack O’Connor; Alan O’Sullivan, Rory Feely.
Subs: Karl Morgan, Craig Dowling.
Enda Coll
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