UCD STUNNED DROGHEDA United to swap places with the Boynesiders for the 2027 season with an impressive win to upset the apple cart.
United had taken the lead through Mark Doyle but goals from Ciaran Behan and man-of-the-match Louis Dignam ensured the impressive Students would go up in their place..
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Favorites for the tie after winning four of their last seven matches—including an impressive 2-0 against FAI Cup finalists Derry City— the Premier Division side started to exert their dominance. Back at the site of their 2024 playoff triumph, they carved out their first chance on goal just 12 minutes in when Connor Keely failed to direct an inch-perfect Brandon Kavanagh cross from deep on the left.
Louis Dignam celebrates with fans. Tom Maher / INPHO
But just minutes later and in very similar circumstances, Kevin Doherty’s side managed to find the breakthrough.
From the same position as Kavanagh’s cross Alfie Bates managed to set up the opening goal with a dangerous right-footed inswinger. Doyle was sharp to get in front of his marker and got a subtle touch to flick it goalward, squeezing the ball right under the glove of a helpless Dara Kavanagh.
Despite the concession and early pressure the in-form Students continued to play their own impressive brand of football and responded well. Star midfielder Louis Dignam forced Fynn Talley into a smart save from distance before fellow attacker Behan whipped in a deadly free-kick from slightly right of the box and around the wall to grab a deserved equaliser prompting presumptuous chants of “We are going up” from the UCD support in the East Stand.
The tentative and finely poised clashes continued in the same vein with both sides enjoying bouts of possession before catching fire on the hour mark. Dignam’s stinging effort was well parried by Talley before the Boynesiders built a head of steam, going agonisingly close through Bates and Brandan Kavanagh.
But the students brought this to an abrupt halt when the impressive Hugh Smith took on all comers. Just as the powerful frontman looked to shoot on the edge of the area having worked the space, he then cleverly backheeled the ball into the path of Dignam who completed the turnaround making no mistake on his trusty left foot.
Drogheda unloaded the bench in a desperate bid to rescue their season.
Dara Kavanagh proved the hero as he was forced into two incredible last ditch saves from Keeley and substitute Keegan Ancelin to keep his side ahead and with the minutes ticking away, the blue wall UCD bodies held firm to see themselves over the line and return to the promised land for the first time since 2023.
UCD: Dara Kavanagh; Luca Cailloce, Carl Lennox, Harry Curtis, Sean Murphy; Adam Wells, Louis Dignam; Mikey McCullagh, Ciaran Behan, Sam Norval (Stephen Mohan, 73’); Hugh Smith
Drogheda United: Fynn Talley; Leo Burney, Conor Keeley, Andrew Quinn (Keegan Ancelin, 73’); Edwin Agbaje, Alfie Bates (Jago Godden, 80’), Ethan O’Brien (Shane Farrell, 67’), Conor Kane; Brandon Kavanagh, Thomas Oluwa (Ryan Brennan, 80’), Mark Doyle
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UCD win through to Premier Division as Drogheda go down
UCD 2
Drogheda United 1
Darryl Geraghty reports from Tallaght Stadium
UCD STUNNED DROGHEDA United to swap places with the Boynesiders for the 2027 season with an impressive win to upset the apple cart.
United had taken the lead through Mark Doyle but goals from Ciaran Behan and man-of-the-match Louis Dignam ensured the impressive Students would go up in their place..
Favorites for the tie after winning four of their last seven matches—including an impressive 2-0 against FAI Cup finalists Derry City— the Premier Division side started to exert their dominance. Back at the site of their 2024 playoff triumph, they carved out their first chance on goal just 12 minutes in when Connor Keely failed to direct an inch-perfect Brandon Kavanagh cross from deep on the left.
But just minutes later and in very similar circumstances, Kevin Doherty’s side managed to find the breakthrough.
From the same position as Kavanagh’s cross Alfie Bates managed to set up the opening goal with a dangerous right-footed inswinger. Doyle was sharp to get in front of his marker and got a subtle touch to flick it goalward, squeezing the ball right under the glove of a helpless Dara Kavanagh.
Despite the concession and early pressure the in-form Students continued to play their own impressive brand of football and responded well. Star midfielder Louis Dignam forced Fynn Talley into a smart save from distance before fellow attacker Behan whipped in a deadly free-kick from slightly right of the box and around the wall to grab a deserved equaliser prompting presumptuous chants of “We are going up” from the UCD support in the East Stand.
The tentative and finely poised clashes continued in the same vein with both sides enjoying bouts of possession before catching fire on the hour mark. Dignam’s stinging effort was well parried by Talley before the Boynesiders built a head of steam, going agonisingly close through Bates and Brandan Kavanagh.
But the students brought this to an abrupt halt when the impressive Hugh Smith took on all comers. Just as the powerful frontman looked to shoot on the edge of the area having worked the space, he then cleverly backheeled the ball into the path of Dignam who completed the turnaround making no mistake on his trusty left foot.
Drogheda unloaded the bench in a desperate bid to rescue their season.
Dara Kavanagh proved the hero as he was forced into two incredible last ditch saves from Keeley and substitute Keegan Ancelin to keep his side ahead and with the minutes ticking away, the blue wall UCD bodies held firm to see themselves over the line and return to the promised land for the first time since 2023.
UCD: Dara Kavanagh; Luca Cailloce, Carl Lennox, Harry Curtis, Sean Murphy; Adam Wells, Louis Dignam; Mikey McCullagh, Ciaran Behan, Sam Norval (Stephen Mohan, 73’); Hugh Smith
Drogheda United: Fynn Talley; Leo Burney, Conor Keeley, Andrew Quinn (Keegan Ancelin, 73’); Edwin Agbaje, Alfie Bates (Jago Godden, 80’), Ethan O’Brien (Shane Farrell, 67’), Conor Kane; Brandon Kavanagh, Thomas Oluwa (Ryan Brennan, 80’), Mark Doyle
Ref: Paul McLoughlin
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