That’s Moore like it as goalkeeper Finn rescues young Drogs at the death
Drogheda United 1-1 UCD, EA Sports League of Ireland Men's Under 20 Tier One, Larkview FC Whelan Park, Terenure, 05/10/24
A 94th minute equaliser from a goalkeeper to rescue a game thought to be lost is about as dramatic as it gets in this game. There can hardly be much dispute about that.
That is not to say there was not a frank exchange of views amongst the Drogheda United coaches deep into injury time, as James Byrne readied himself to send a delivery into the UCD penalty area. Arguments, disagreements, disputes; they’re all part of the game. Everyone has an opinion and few are reluctant to share it.
Whether Drogheda goalkeeper Finn Moore should go forward for the free-kick, won when UCD full back Harry Whelan fouled Ultan McLaughlin, was the topic of debate. United were 0-1 down but the shutters were coming down on the last chance saloon. Forward Moore came and the rest, as they say, is history.
Odhran McLaughlin’s 81st minute goal looked set to move the Students three points clear at the league’s summit. The late intervention by the goalkeeper - whose only save of note in the game had arrived from Danu Kinsella Bishop’s header in the second half - maintains parity between these two at the top of the table.
Incidentally, there was no Bridel Bosakani for the Under 20s on Saturday. At the request of Kevin Doherty, he was not considered for selection with less than 24 hours to go until the FAI Cup semi-final against Wexford at United Park. Following on from treble against Wilton United in the third round, the young striker has not played a minute of first team football since. The edict from above arrived however and Sam Case was handed the start in his stead.
It was the home side who began the game much the brighter - with League of Ireland veteran Ronan Finn lining out at right back in the first half. Some early cross field passes to McLaughlin proved fruitful.
Drogheda appeared unwilling to get the ball on the ground and retain possession for any period of time. Centre forward Killian Cailloce was a willing runner but service to him was limited throughout. Callum Warren did at least clear the crossbar with an effort from the edge of the area while UCD’s Mark Flood did the same at the other end.
Finn was fortunate to escape censure for leaving an arm in on Warren moments after the youngster had embarrassed the experienced midfielder in the centre of the field. Evan Haddock showed his physical prowess in keeping Kinsella-Bishop relatively quiet in the early stages too.
United were keeping a decent shape and were disciplined in the press themselves, making UCD work in their attempts to progress the ball into dangerous areas. But the visitors threat was minimal. Gavin Fleming’s team were held to a scoreless draw against Bohemians in their last outing and for much of this one, it appeared the small crowd at Larkview FC in Terenure were set for a repeat result.
Flood’s free kick from near half way was flicked on by Kinsella-Bishop and into Moore’s arms in a rare on-target attempt. In first half injury time, the 22-year-old striker who has over 80 senior UCD appearances to his name, was denied again but this time by the crossbar. He received the ball with his back to goal, swivelled and unleashed a thunderous effort that crashed off the bar and away. Moore was beaten, but his goal survived for now.
A swirling wind emerged just as the second half began and hardly helped either side. Kinsella-Bishop fired a shot harmlessly wide before Drogheda found their range twice in as many minutes. Byrne’s shot from 25 yards was well struck and didn’t clear the frame of the goal by all that much.
Then Cailloce had his first sighter of the game. He forced Dara Kavanagh to dive to his right and parry - from a similar distance that Byrne had tried his luck shortly before. United were moving the ball better after the break and Byrne was central. He showed some fancy footwork in midfield, gliding past two UCD players but he tried to beat one man too many and possession was lost.
Just before the Students took the lead, Haddock met a corner with a powerful back post header but it lacked accuracy and went over. Then, United were ultimately undone when they were pulled out of a shape that they had kept so well until that point.
Manny Milongo got caught up field and the Students - featuring four players that were in their UEFA Youth League starting XI that progressed past Stjarnan in midweek - advanced down the left. The ball across the area wasn’t cleared and bobbled it’s way to McLoughlin. His shot squirmed under Moore and despite captain Osaze Irhue clearing from under the bar, referee Umre Akkilic signalled for a goal. It wasn’t disputed all that much.
McLoughlin had scored UCD’s opener in Stjörnuvöllur in midweek and here he was repeating the trick on home soil.
Ultan McLaughlin was one of four late subs made by the young Drogs and he played a pivotal role in United earning a point when all was said and done. First, he blocked well when Kinsella-Bishop let fly in the box. In the first minute of injury time, he drilled a low shot just wide of the upright as Drogheda pressed at the opposite end.
Once he was caught by Whelan and a free-kick was awarded, Byrne assumed control. Moore made his way forward - eventually - and when Kavanagh’s attempted punch clear fell at his feet, his toe poke trickled into the net.
When the team line-ups were confirmed prior to kick off, it seemed that all eyes would be on Finn. It wasn’t the 36-year-old seven-time League of Ireland winner that stole the headlines though. It was the other Finn.
UCD: Dara Kavanagh; Ronan Finn, Harry Whelan, Don O’Toole, Ethan Hall; Jamie Ryan (Colin Bolton, 75), Mark Flood; Odhran McLaughlin, Roy Lawlor, Aidan Dobbin (Matthew Alonge, 71); Danu Kinsella-Bishop.
DROGHEDA UNITED: Finn Moore; Manny Milongo, Osaze Irhue, Evan Haddock, Sean McCarthy (Ultan McLaughlin, 85), Callum Warren (Theo Dunne, 90+2), James Byrne; Sam Case (Sean McGrath, 86), Conall Cronin, Harry O’Connor (Cian Cleary, 81); Killian Cailloce.
REFEREE: Umre Akkilic
