UCD returned to the top of the table with a 3-2 win over Finn Harps at Belfield on Friday night. A Georgie Kelly hat-trick was enough to see Collie O’Neill’s side come from behind to claim all three points. The Students went ahead inside fifteen min
UCD returned to the top of the table with a 3-2 win over Finn Harps at Belfield on Friday night.
A Georgie Kelly hat-trick was enough to see Collie O’Neill’s side come from behind to claim all three points. The Students went ahead inside fifteen minutes, but Harps took a lead into the break after quickfire goals from Sam Todd and Mark Coyle just before half-time.
UCD weren’t to be denied however, and they fought back after the break to earn the victory. Keith Cowan missed a great chance for Finn Harps, before UCD took the lead. Kelly looped a header passed Ciaran Gallagher, after getting on the end of Liam Scales’s cross.
It was an open game, with both sides creating chances. But just as it looked like College would hold a lead to half-time, the visitors turned the game on its head. The first goal was a thing of beauty, as Harps passed their way through the UCD defence. Mark Timlin’s initial effort was well saved by Conor Kearns, but Todd reacted quickest to smash the ball home. The traveling support had barely quietened down before they were cheering a lead goal.
Jesse Denvers showed some pace on the left flank, before pulling it back to Coyle. He hit the ball, and a slight touch helped it passed Kearns. The standard was poor in the opening fifteen minutes of the second-half, before UCD began to control the game.
They were level in the sixty-eighth minute, as Kelly finished smartly passed the outrushing Gallagher. Ciaran O’Connor had missed a glorious chance to give Harps a two goal advantage moments beforehand.
Conor Kearns nearly gifted the visitors the lead once more, before making a truly top drawer save. And The Students were ahead four minutes later. O’Connor picked out Kelly with a perfect pass, and he was able to walk to ball over the line after Gallagher had stopped his initial effort. UCD go to Longford next weekend.
