Coachford go top of the AUL Premier League after victory over UCC

Coachford 4

UCC 2

COACHFORD took over top spot of the Premier league after a 4-2 victory over UCC in a cracking encounter at the Glebe.

Matthew Bradley had a terrific game at left full for the winners and received the man-of-the-match award for his efforts after the game.

It was a dominant first 45 by the champions with Adam and Mark Murphy controlling proceedings around the centre.

The students were much better in the second period, but did not have enough on the day to cause the hosts any exceptional problems.

The encounter burst into life and after Matthew Bradley’s free kick was headed wide by Mark Murphy, the woodwork came to Coachford’s rescue when Conor Cavanagh saw his headed effort from Conor Quirke’s free kick come back off the upright.

A terrific effort from UCC’s Andrew McCelligot then flashed agonisingly over.

Coachford pressed after that and following neat inter-play from both Evan and Cialan O’Sullivan, the ball arrived for Dara Lynch who struck his effort wide.

But, the ice was broken on 18 when a rifling effort by Mark Murphy flew under the diving body of Reszka to nestle in the net for Coachford’s opener.

Coachford’s Keating had a chance soon after when he took advantage of a blunder in the student’s defence, but over-elaboration left him down and the chance went.

Coachford were on top now and from an acute angle, Adam Murphy saw his low effort cannon back of the butt of the upright.

This was followed by a Dara Lynch effort which forced Reszka to stretch before grabbing to safety.

Then, on the half-hour, Coachford were awarded a penalty following a trip by Colin O’Flynn on Cialan O’Sullivan in the box and from the spot, Adam Murphy planted his effort past Reszka, despite the student’s keeper getting a touch to it with his hand.

A great chance after that arrived for Cialan O’Sullivan, but he scooped over from close range.

Coachford finished the half strongly with Adam Murphy playing it short for Cialan O’Sullivan who moved it on swiftly for Matthew Bradley who forced Reszka to a low save.

Then, Declan Keating collected from Evan O’Sullivan to force a decent save from Reszka just seconds before the end of the first 45.

The hosts got the second half underway with Mark Murphy heading over from Bradley’s free kick and at the other end, it was Ruairi Parker who did likewise from near the edge of the box.

The students certainly looked a have more desire now and when Parker collected from Liam Hogan, he checked before drilling a decent effort narrowly over.

Then, the arrears were reduced when failure by the Coachford defence to deal with a low cross, allowed Cavanagh an opportunity to scoop home and make it 2-1 on 65.

But, UCC’s elation was dampened when from Matthew Bradley’s free kick, Mark Murphy headed across goal where Evan O’Sullivan pounced to help home and make it 3-1 on 68.

Minutes later, Casper Reszka nearly paid the price for a poor clearance which arrived for Daniel Merrick, but redeemed himself after making a decent save from the substitute to concede a corner.

From the resultant corner, the ball broke for Cialan O’Sullivan near the edge of the box, but he skewed wide of the target.

The students refused to be bowed though and after rallying together, Neill Collins collected on the left flank before crossing low into the box for Conor Cavanagh to touch home and make for a nervy ending at 3-2 on 88 minutes.

Then, what a chance fell for Eoin Heeney when he collected from Liam Hogan, but with the goal in view, he drilled over to waste the opportunity.

The students were then rocked right back on their heels again when Matthew Bradley’s clearance out of defence came down the left channel and following a mix-up in the student’s defence, Daniel Merrick took complete advantage and steered the ball into an unprotected goal in the dying seconds – 4-2 to Coachford.

Coachford: Stephen Murray, Gavin Kearney, Matthew Bradley, Keith Linzell, Chris O’Connell, Adam Murphy, Evan O’Sullivan, Mark Murphy, Declan Keating, Cialan O’Sullivan and Dara Lynch.

Subs: Daniel Merrick for Gavin Kearney (63), Jack Murphy for Declan Keating (77), Niall Moynihan for Evan O’Sullivan (87).

UCC: Casper Reszka, Mark O’Reilly, Conor Quirke, Colin O’Flynn, Eoin Heaney, Mark O’Leary, Liam Hogan, Andrew McCelligot, Conor Cavanagh, Ruairi Parker and Patrick Keyes.

Subs: Conor O’Neill for Colin O’Flynn (37), Neill Collins for Ruairi Parker (75), Paul McAuliffe and James Kiniry for Andrew McCelligot and Mark O’Reilly (82).

Referee: Alan McDonagh.