U19s: Cabinteely FC 0:4 UCD AFC
SSE Airtricity League U19s Southern Elite League
Stradbrook, Sat 29th July ko 14:00
Cabinteely FC U19s 0:4 UCD AFC U19s
UCD U19s came into the game on a good run of results including hitting Cork City U19s for 4 goals twice in in four days during the week. Once in a top-of -the-table 4-0 (Youcef Yoyo Mahdy, Kevin Coffey(2), Sean McDonald) win and the midweek win Enda McGuill Cup ¼ Final 4-2 win (Neil Farrugia, Sean McDonald, Mark Dignam, Yoyo Mahdy) which gives UCD an away Semi-Final tie to Sligo Rovers U19s, who are top-of -the-table in the Northern Elite League.
The Students began where they left off against Cork, after both teams shared possession early on, right winger Kevin Coffey took control and sent a looping shot from outside the box which deceived the Cabo keeper and hit the top corner of the net. Coffey didn’t sit on his laurels and a minute later sent a low shot to his right from close in to give UCD a welcome 2-0 lead.
That wasn’t enough for the Players and after more great play through the team. Neil Farrugia kept close control in the middle, beat a couple of defenders, drew more onto him and slid the ball right to Yoyo Mahdy to side foot it in the bottom left hand corner 3-0.
Cabo had their own chance and UCD’s keeper Captain Conor Kearns, standing in for Andy O’Reilly, marshalled his defence with Luke Boore and Joe Manley in front of him kept the threats to a minimum. But he still had to be smart to stop some shots from the frustrated Cabo attack.
UCD weren’t content to sit back, in procession Sean McDonald hit it wide right, Yoyo Mahdy’s low cross was cleared off the line by the Cabo Captain in the middle, Conor Crowley hit it wide left and left winger Neil Farrugia raced forward and making space for himself put the ball just over the angle of crossbar and post.
Second Half
The second half brought Andy O’Reilly into the centre of defence in place of Luke Boore, he kept himself busy. It took two minutes for a Conor Coffey free for Neil Farrugia to head home above the defence to give the side a 4-0 lead.
Maciej Tarnogrodski made some changes through the second-half, with 5 substitutes allowed for development at U19 level, the side withstood some attacks from Cabo which was snuffed out or the shooting was off target.
Ben Hanrahan and Jack Ryan kept the pressure on the Cabo defence themselves and it took a fine save from the Cabo netminder to keep UCD out.
It was another accomplished display from The Students and they move on towards a Southern Elite Division first place which gives a seeded place in the last eight Play-offs in September.
UCD AFC U19s: Conor Kearns, Evan Farrell, Dylan Rowe (Mark Dignam), Luke Boore (Andy O’Reilly), Joe Manley, Luka Lovic, Conor Crowley, Kevin Coffey (Ryan Meeney), Youcef Yoyo Mahdy, Neil Farrugia (Ben Hanrahan), Sean McDonald (Jack Ryan).
