A thrilling SSE Airtricity Under National Under League 19 Enda McGuill Cup Final at the Belfield Bowl saw the visitors Dundalk edge out UCD with a last minute extra time winner from Jake O’Keeffe to take the trophy and earn him the Man of the Match a
A thrilling SSE Airtricity Under National Under League 19 Enda McGuill Cup Final at the Belfield Bowl saw the visitors Dundalk edge out UCD with a last minute extra time winner from Jake O’Keeffe to take the trophy and earn him the Man of the Match award.
The sides went in at the interval level at a goal apiece after Neil Farrugia had cracked home a superb opener for UCD on 13 minutes with Dundalk skipper Jake O’Connor grabbing the equaliser on the stroke of half time.
There were chances at both ends in the second half with Yousef Mahdy having an effort well held by Dundalk ‘keeper Matt Lyons and later the UCD man blasted another fierce drive into the side netting.
While Dundalk might have gone ahead when O’Connor found O’Keeffe but his shot went narrowly wide.
Extra time looked like it would’nt yield any further scores and we were set for a penalty shoot until O’Keeffe ran on to a through ball from Cian Flynn to steer his shot past the advancing Conor Kearns for the winning score to the delight of the large following of Dundalk fans.
UCD: C Kearns: E Farrell, J Manley, D Corcoran, M Dignam; K Coffey (S Power 56), A O’Reilly, C Crowley (S McDonald 76), N Farrugia (S Quinn 110); B Hanrahan (L Lovic 56), Y Mahdy (J Ryan 110).
Dundalk: M Lyons; J Woods, G Smith, E Whelan, C Ubezuonu: D Watters, J O’Connor (J Rice 106), A Townley (J Traynor 105); A Finnegan (S O’Hanlon 69), J ‘Keeffe, C Flynn.
Referee: A Carey (Dublin).
