Callaghan’s joy at ‘priceless’ UCD win

Derry City 0 UCD 1

UCD boss Aaron Callaghan heaped praise on his players after last night’s shock victory over FAI Cup finalists, Derry City, at a blustery Brandywell.

And this result keeps UCD’s Premier Division future in their own hands, as they face Bray Wanderers in their final game next weekend.

“The players have been fantastic, they have continued to work hard, and given Athlone’s defeat of St Pat’s, this win is priceless for us,” said Callaghan.

Forced to watch the game from the stand due to a three-match suspension, the UCD boss insisted that there was work to be done.

“Our Premier Division status remains in our own hands and we still have a tough game to prepare for against Bray next weekend.

“The players were excellent, they could have put the game to bed nearing the end, but it’s been a very good night for us,” he added.

With the wind and the rain spoiling last night’s game as a spectacle, Mark Langtry emerged the UCD hero, the left-back lashing the ball to the Derry net in the 33rd minute.

That goal may have arrived against the run of play but for all their possession, Derry basically failed to penetrate.

Philip Lowry dragged a shot narrowly wide while substitute, Sean Houston, headed the ball straight at UCD keeper, Conor O’Donnell on the stroke of half-time.

After the break, Derry continued to dominate with the wind at their backs but despite owning the ball for lengthy spells, they failed to take advantage when in front of goal.

In fact, UCD should have doubled their lead on two occasions when substitute Colin Crowe and Robert Benson broke raced clear on the counter-attack, but despite the one-on-one situations, both failed to take advantage.

DERRY CITY: Doherty; Kelly, Molloy, S. McEleney, Jarvis; Dooley, McNamee (Houston, 44), Lowry, Timlin; P. McEleney (Duffy, 75); R. Patterson (Curran, 65).

UCD: O’Donnelly; Matthews, Douglas, Ryan, Langtry (Tobin, 59); Mulhall, Creevy (Crowe), Burke, Benson, Molloy; Cannon (Kavanagh, 69).

Referee: T. Connolly (Dublin).