UCD had to battle back from behind for the second week in a row as they earned a 1-1 draw with Galway at Belfield on Friday night. Josh Collins headed The Students level just after the half-hour mark. Danny Furlong had earlier given the visitors the
UCD had to battle back from behind for the second week in a row as they earned a 1-1 draw with Galway at Belfield on Friday night. Josh Collins headed The Students level just after the half-hour mark. Danny Furlong had earlier given the visitors the lead.
College manager Collie O’Neill tells our reporter Peter Branigan that it was good to get something from a game in which he felt his side never hit their stride.
"We got something out of it.
"We didn’t hit the same level of performance as we did against Shels, but it’s nice to know that we can still compete with the favourites for the title without hitting top gear.
"We’re slightly disappointed that it was only a draw tonight, but we can take positives away from the game."
Goalkeepers Conor Kearns and Tadgh Ryan pulled off some top drawer saves at either end. UCD had a couple of huge chances. Ryan did well to prevent a Georgie Kelly goal in the first-half, while Daire O’Connor couldn’t keep a shot down from the edge of the box in the second. But for O’Neill, it gives him something to work on with the squad in training during the week.
"There’s room for improvement. Both Daire and Jay (McClelland) hits shots a yard over the bar.
"Our final pass let us down on occasion, and we might have opened them up a little bit more."
Galway manager Shane Keegan heaped praise on O’Connor after the game. The midfielder forced Ryan into a couple of saves in the first-half, while also creating chances for his teammates. O’Neill has watched the UCD Irish Studies and Politics graduate develop since his senior debut in 2015.
"There’s a reason why Daire has been nominated for the FAI Colleges & Universities International Player of the Year. He’s a top-class talent. He’s great with his back to goal, has a good turn, and he has a burst of pace.
"He’s been developing here for a couple of years, and it’s nice to see him bring it to another level this season."
Four points out of six is a solid start for College, who go to Athlone next week. The UCD manager is hoping for one key performance trait from his side in 2018.
"It’s a good start to the season, but of course I would have preferred six points! But look, there’s a long way to go.
"It’s all about being consistent. You can’t play well against Galway, and then go away from home against the so-called lesser teams and not pick up points."
