Dublin University AFC were deeply unfortunate to come out 3-0 losers in a hard-fought game against fellow promotion contenders Sacred Heart in Senior Division 1A of the Leinster Senior League.
A scintillating Leon O’Brien performance was the difference between the two teams. An early penalty, a moment of sheer brilliance, and some tired defending in the closing stages accounted for his show-stealing hat trick.
DUAFC though will rue their missed opportunities, as they did everything but score under the lights of Joe Maughan Park.
The two sides started the night level on points, with DUAFC boasting a game in hand. A look at the form guide would offer no suggestion as to who would come out on top. DUAFC’s immediate form was better, coming off the back of two excellent wins. Sacred Heart were nursing their wounds from a recent resounding loss to St. Kevin’s, but would take solace in the fact that they won the reverse fixture.
DUAFC were also missing three starters from their last fixture, including a suspension to captain Darragh Timmons for accumulating five yellow cards. Who would come out on top was anyone’s guess.
The match had barely started when referee John McCarthy pointed to the spot for a penalty kick to the home side. A cross after a short corner on the right was whipped into the area and hit the arm of Dylan Byrne. McCarthy awarded a spot kick after a long pause following a flag from his assistant, deeming the arm to be in an unnatural position. DUAFC manager Aaron O’Callaghan certainly thought otherwise and was booked for his remonstrations.
O’Brien stepped up and coolly slotted home; DUAFC were immediately on the backfoot.
Sacred Heart sought to manage the game with the early lead, absorbing DUAFC’s attempts to turn the screw and getting joy down each flank on the break. Brady Tobin in particular was very impressive on the right wing for the Tallaght side.
Trinity had the possession, but Sacred Heart doubled the lead on 40 minutes out of seemingly nothing. Leon O’Brien received the ball from a simple layoff just outside the D and unleashed a sumptuous strike. His effort always looked like it was destined for the back of the net and dipped over Tom McDonagh between the sticks. Unstoppable.
DUAFC’s flying winger Paddy Johnson crafted some great openings on the cusp of half time, with one effort from the right fizzing just past the post. They’d go into the break two goals down with a mountain to climb.
DUAFC came flying out of the blocks and crafted some quality chances in the second half, with Miguel Coelho pulling strings in the middle of the park.
Iyamintan Awodola rounded the keeper 10 minutes into the half, but couldn’t find the finish from a very tight angle.
Coelho then fired just wide from outside the area with a fine effort.
Then a goalmouth scramble left DUAFC wondering just how they did not score. With many bites of the cherry taken, a goalbound shot was accidentally blocked by Isaiah Philips on the line. It just wasn’t their day.
Sacred Heart then put the game to bed on 80 minutes, with DUAFC frustration building. After squandering many chances to clear their lines, a deft ball was dinked into the area and O’Brien met it with a powerful header from six yards to complete his hat-trick and secure three points. It was the 23rd goal of the league season for Division Senior 1A’s runaway top scorer.
Heads understandably began to drop at the sight of an unrepresentative scoreline and Sacred Heart nearly added a fourth when Roland Olakanye spurned a one-on-one.
DUAFC twice came close in the dying embers. Jay Walsh had an effort blocked on the counter and Coelho forced a good save from Ryan Cosgrove, who would keep his clean sheet as the full-time whistle blew.
A disappointing result for DUAFC in their fight for promotion, but they represented themselves well against stiff opposition and with the unpredictable nature of the league, they are still very much in the hunt. They lie fourth with a crunch fixture against league leaders Hartstown Huntstown up next.
“A disappointing result for DUAFC in their fight for promotion, but they represented themselves well against stiff opposition and with the unpredictable nature of the league, they are still very much in the hunt”
Referee: John McCarthy
Man of the Match: Leon O’Brien
