In a game that was always going to be a massive challenge for Rangers, UCD proved just a step too far on Sunday afternoon in Ramstown…
From the first whistle UCD controlled the tempo and the ball. Their first chance came after 5 minutes as Ciaran Behan found himself in behind but his effort was well stopped by Cian Browne in the Rangers goal. Minutes later UCD went close again as they hit the crossbar and the follow up went over the bar. After 15 minutes there was another chance for the Belfield outfit as Colin Bolton found himself in space in the box about 12 yards out and met a cross from the right wing but he failed to make the right connection with his header as it drifted just wide.
Rangers were trying to soak up pressure with some brave and resolute defending and hit UCD on the counter using the pace of their attackers and they nearly got their rewards on 20 minutes. Adam Territt chased onto a long ball and his shot-come-cross went across the box and Caleb Byrne Murphy turned it goal-bound but the ball just flashed wide.
Unfortunately for the Gorey side their resistance was broken on the 30 minute mark. Behan dinked a lovely ball into Jake Doyle who produced some nice footwork and a turn to create space to fire low and past the keeper. The rest of the first half followed in the same suit with UCD controlling the ball but Rangers defending well and trying to remain a threat on the break.
Adam Territt nearly created another chance after the break. He tried to flick the ball past the defender on the edge of the box and there were some shouts for handball but they were sparse and the referee was unmoved. On 60 minutes UCD almost made it two. The ball was flashed across the Rangers box and it just evaded Michael McCullagh, who was very impressive all day, at the back post.
Moments later however, it was two.
Donal Higgins went on a mazy run past two or three defenders and sent a low ball into the box and following a ricochet or two the ball landed at the feet of Ciaran Behan who fired home. That goal really took the energy from Rangers it seemed as they had put in a very tough shift and worked hard for 60 minutes. Unfortunately for Rangers, UCD added two goals late on through Sam Norval and Mikey Raggett which I feel slightly flattered them as I don’t feel as though four goals was the difference in the match.
There was a few standout players on the day from UCD that really showed they play at a higher level. Michael McCullagh was excellent on the wing, Ciaran Behan was a threat all day and Eanna Clancy gave a commanding performance at the back.
Adam Connor
From Gorey, Adam is a writer with Wexford Weekly. He writes about sports and has a keen interest in the Wexford Football League.