FAI Airtricty League U-19

UCD-2

Waterford-1

by Gregor McConor

UCD took the points in a very enjoyable Airtricity League under19 tie at the a sun-kissed AUL yesterday. Sean McDonald with a first half strike and Yaya Camara in the second were the UCD scorers. But a Waterford goal scored by Colm Whelan before the end worried the students as they anxiously wished for full time.

The first quarter was very even with the ball pinging from end to end with great pace. There were also some fine skill cameos on show with Whelan, Jack O’Donnell and Sean Roche to the fore for the visitors while down the other end Jack Ryan, Sean Quinn and McDonald attacked the heart of the Waterford defence. Wingmen Ryan Meaney and Luke Hannigan were also prominent in the UCD attacks.

Waterford created the best early chances with O’Donnell forcing UCD keeper Carl Williams into two good saves and Roche with another chance which went just over. Meanwhile UCD were creating chances too and after a fine interchange move involving Ryan and Quinn, McDonald was played in and he thundered to the net for the game’s opener. And that’s how it remained to the break.

The home side were the more forceful throughout of the second half with most of the play down towards the Waterford end. Meanwhile the blues always looked dangerous on the break which kept UCD honest. Both sides made a series of substitutions one of which was Yaya Camara for UCD. His direct and forceful approach caused some panic in the Waterford defence.

And it was he who made it 2-0 when,on receiving a McDonald pass, he tucked the ball away in the corner. It looked as though the students might pull away then but Waterford’s Colm Whelan had other ideas when he got one back for the visitors. But led by the impressive Evan Farrell the UCD  defence held out comfortably to full time.