Cork City secure First Division title with win over UCD

CITY'S GOING UP: Malik Dijksteel celebrates after scoring his side's winner. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

UCD 0 Cork City 1

Cork City are back where they feel they belong securing promotion back to the SSE Airtricity Premier Division at the first time of asking, as they romped to their second First Division title in three years.

A well taken Malik Dijksteel second half strike ensured Tim Clancy’s men, who have been in unstoppable form this season, got the all important three points to mathematically secure promotion, in a thriller at a balmy UCD Bowl.

Games between the top two had been tight affairs, with two 0-0 draws and a narrow 1-0 win at Turners cross in the first meeting of the season, but this had a more open feel to it with chances at both ends from the off.

Students midfielder Jake Doyle picked the ball up unmarked and from 30-yards out stung the palms of Bradley Wade, who did very well to parry to safety.

And seconds later they really should have been ahead when the inform Mikey Ragget found himself clear through on goal but, at the crucial moment, dragged his shot agonisingly wide.

With six games to spare, Cork City are Champions 🏆#CCFC84 || #LOI pic.twitter.com/WIkl6QWjto

— Cork City FC (@CorkCityFC) September 6, 2024

The visitors, on an incredible 12-game unbeaten league run, responded well and thought they had taken the lead when Charlie Lyons rose brilliantly and headed home from a Greg Bolger free-kick only to see the flag raised for offside.

On the stroke of half time the visitors went frustratingly close to opening the scoring when Cian Bargary latched onto a raking Bolger pass, before showing tremendous pace to get the end-line but his cut back was inches behind Seani Maguire who had an open goal at his mercy.

There was still time for ex-Shamrock Rovers skipper Finn to shave the post with a thunderous effort from 25-yards out as the game somehow remained scoreless at the break.

The relentless pace continued after the break and again it was the Leesiders who missed a gilt edged chance to break the deadlock.

Malik Dijksteel showed great pace to steal the ball and burst forward, before sliding in Maguire who tried to dink the onrushing Kian Moore, but the Students' stopper sharply raised a hand to deny the ex Preston man.

Echoing something of a ping-pong game, it was UCD’s turn to then go close when Raggett, who had been a constant thorn in the side of Coleman and Lyons, saw his deflected strike not only beat Wade all ends up but also the foot of the post.

Cork City supporters celebrate their side's first goal during the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division match between UCD and Cork City at UCD Bowl in Belfield, Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

And with just over 20-minutes remaining the breakthrough finally came and it with was winger Dijksteel who found himself a yard clear on the penalty spot before smashing home, sparking wild chants of “We are going up.”

The home side tried desperately to get back on level terms in a clash that had a Cup feel to it but the Rebels stood firm to everything that came their way.

Not a bad way for Clancy to celebrate his new two-year deal. Referee Daniel Murphy eventually brought proceedings to a halt as the UCD Bowl erupted with wild celebrations by players, staff and the vociferous travelling support from the now first division Champions.

UCD: Kian Moore; Niall Holohan, Adam Wells, Eanna Clancy, Luke O’Regan; Adam Verdon (Adam Brennan, 86’), Ronan Finn, Sean Brennan (Sam Norval, 78’); Jake Doyle, Mikey Raggett (Donal Higgins, 86’), Hugh Parker (Stephen Mohan, 78’)

Cork City: Bradley Wade; Darragh Crowley, Cian Coleman, Charlie Lyons, Evan McLoughlin; Cian Bargary (Joshua Fitzpatrick 83’), Sean Murray (Barry Coffey, 65’), Greg Bolger, Malik Dijksteel (Conor Drinan, 83’); Sean Maguire (Cian Murphy, 89’), Ruairi Keating.

Referee: Daniel Murphy.

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