News

UL progress to Collingwood Cup Final News: results

Posted On 14th Feb 2023
Posted By Men's Soccer
Author Mark Nolan (Fixtures Secretary)
Location Jordanstown Sports Campus

Collingwood Cup Semi-final

Maynooth University 0-1 University of Limerick

Adam Foley was the hero for the University of Limerick as they booked their place in the Collingwood Cup Final thanks to a 1-0 win over Maynooth.

The quick turnaround from yesterday’s quarter-final action meant this game was always going to be a war of attrition. 

The first clear cut chance of the game fell to UL after eight minutes. Newmarket Celtic man David McCarthy played the ball over the top to Conor Butler who accelerated towards the area with his shot going just over the bar. 

Just moments later UL saw strong appeals for a handball in the Maynooth area waved away by the referee. 

Maynooth were matching UL physically in the midfield battle while also looking to exploit their pace on the wings. Limerick’s centre back duo of Tom Carney and Conor Whittle were called into action on a few occasions to clear danger as Maynooth looked to cut the ball back into the box.

With sixteen minutes played Conor Butler once again found himself bearing down on the Maynooth goal his venomous strike stung the hands of the Maynooth shot stopper winning a corner. 

Maynooth responded with a real chance of their own just two minutes later, a dangerous cross from the right fell to their captain on the edge of the area. He seemed caught between two minds as to put his laces through it or to try and side foot it goalwards. The resulting shot sailed harmlessly over the bar but was a timely reminder for UL that they had a real game on their hands. 

The physical nature of the game meant counter attacks were going to offer the best chances for either side. The end to end nature of the game was clear to see in the thirty eight minute. 

From a UL corner Maynooth launched a long ball forward, Regional United’s Joey Rushe did well to get back and win possession before launching a counter attack. Rushe found Butler who kept the ball moving forward with a pass to Adam Foley, Foley linked up with McCarthy who spotted the run of Rushe. He cut the ball back to McCarthy who tried his luck from range but his effort failed to hit the target. 

The sides were deadlocked at nil all come the short whistle. ULd the second half the stronger of the two sides. David McCarthy sent a low strike towards goal within the opening minute. 

Darren Butler was the next Limerick man to try his luck he sent a volley goalward from the edge of the area after a 52nd minute corner with the ball fizzing past the upright. 

David McCarthy used his body well to win a free-kick in a dangerous position in the 54th minute. From the free he curled the ball towards the top left hand corner of the Maynooth goal only to be denied by a fine finger tip save.

Maynooth were under the cosh and UL sensed a goal was coming and it duly arrived in the sixty eighth minute. 

From a free kick deep in their own half UL ‘keeper Joshua Coady launched the ball forward where it was flicked on by Eoin Redmond. His header was in turn headed into the area by McCarthy. 

Adam Foley had anticipated this and slipped in behind his marker as the Maynooth goalkeeper rushed out. The Aisling Annacotty striker produced a deft chip to take the ball over the head of his opponent before it nestled into the back of the net sparking celebrations in the UL technical area. 

The Shannonsiders then faced an onslaught as Maynooth went in search of an equaliser. Tom Carney produced several bone crunching tackles to cut out any danger while Conor Whittle once again demonstrated his aerial prowess to snuff out Maynooth’s forays into the UL area.

Both sides were forced to make changes as the minutes ticked by due to the physical nature of the game and the toll yesterday’s action had taken on their legs. Ewan O’Brien of Regional United deputised well for Conor Butler never shying out of tackles.

As Maynooth pushed bodies forward chances were opening up for UL, Bridge United’s Leon Daly was creating plenty of headaches for the Kildare side as he looked to find a second on the counter. On more than one occasion he found himself in a foot race with the Maynooth ‘keeper who averted the danger. 

Avenue United’s Cullen McCabe did well to head off some dangerous advances down the left wing while Tom Kidd must have covered nearly every blade of grass as he once again played an integral role in both defence and attack. 

The Treaty men had to endure a lengthy period of stoppage time due to several substitutions and head injuries. Maynooth piled the pressure on but substitutes Ciaran Jennings and Dean Hegarty did their part to alleviate the pressure. 

The commitment and determination of this Limerick side was exemplified by Eoin Redmond who ran his socks off all day and was only forced off after suffering a nasal injury that left his nose bleeding in the final minutes. 

Emotions boiled over at the final whistle but both sides shook hands in the end after a game that typified college football.


UL will face UCD in the Collingwood Cup final tomorrow at Inver Park, Larne. The game will kick off at 16:00 and will be available to stream for free on YouTube. 

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