News

UL bow out of Collingwood at semi-finals News: results

Posted On 19th Feb 2025
Posted By Men's Soccer
Author Mark Nolan (Fixtures Secretary)
Location Leeside AFC, Little Island


Collingwood Cup Semi-final




University of Limerick 1-2 Maynooth University




The University of Limerick’s defence of their Collingwood Cup crown came to an end at the semi-final stage as they narrowly lost out 1-2 to Maynooth in a fiercely contested encounter.




Both sides would have been confident in reaching the showpiece off the back of their quarter-final showings yesterday, Maynooth saw off the much fancied UCD on penalties while UL overcame Trinity 5-2.




The Kildare sided the game on the front foot and after a cagey opening ten minutes they began to test the Limerick defence. Conor Carew was called into action to cut out a dangerous counter attack and soon after a speculative effort left the UL crossbar shaking. 




UL also enjoyed a purple patch inside the opening quarter, an inviting ball from a Joey Rushe free-kick was headed just wide while winger Leon Daly was unlucky to see a promising attack cut out as he reached the edge of the area. 




Maynooth were looking more dangerous and would take the lead after twenty eight minutes. Dean O’Shea made a darting run from a corner to head his side into the ascendency. 




UL managed to settle themselves after this but a killer blow would arrive just after the half-hour mark. The Kildare side played out from the back from a goal-kick before a clever ball set their winger free up the right flank.




A quick ball was pulled back to the edge of the area where it was controlled by Aaron Doran who made no mistake to double his side’s advantage.




Five minutes from the break UL goalkeeper Josh Coady produced a superb save getting down low to his right to keep the deficit to two.




The Shannonsiders knew they would need a strong second half if they were to have any hope of reaching tomorrow’s showpiece and theyd on the front foot.




The half time introduction of Josh Toomey helped UL take control of the midfield and theyd to put Maynooth under pressure. A free kick on the edge of the Maynooth area sent their goalkeeper scrambling to keep their lead intact.




By the sixtieth minute UL could easily have been level, a low driven effort was scrambled off the goal line while a clever ball slipped Daly in on goal but his effort went just wide of the upright. 




UL then took complete control of proceedings limiting Maynooth to just one attack of note in the second half that was stopped well by Coady.




Paul Brennan and captain of the side Tom Kidd seemed to cover every blade of artificial grass on the pitch as they took the game by the scruff of the neck. 




Oisín Breen was proving to be a handful for Maynooth on the left wing, some great footwork from the Kerry native allowed him to deliver an inviting ball into the area but the danger was snuffed out. 




The fierce intensity of the game combined with their efforts against Trinity yesterday saw UL call on their bench for an impact and they duly delivered.




Isaac O’Sullivan was a constant nuisance as he looked to get his side forward, while Tom Kelly deputised well for Alex Cuddy partnering Fintan O’Kelly at the back. Any rare Maynooth advances into the UL half were soon cut out.




The Kildare side were on the ropes and UL deservedly pulled one back six minutes from time, a good move up the right wing saw the ball sent to the back post where Rushe was lurking with intent. A simple touch put the ball into the back of the net and setup a grand stand finish.




Almost instantly from the restart UL were on the attack again this time a cross found David McCarthy on the edge of the area, the Newmarket Celtic man unleashed a venomous effort but it rose just over the bar. 




As the clock ticked beyond the ninety substitute Marcus Hogan had a chance to bring matters level but his effort was sent agonisingly wide.   




Seven minutes of additional time were played with UL camped in the Maynooth half for the majority of that. Inviting crosses were headed around the area and scrambled clear while attempted shots around the edge of the box were suffocated by a sea of black jerseys. 




Maynooth did just enough to withstand the Limerick onslaught and progress to the final. UL will no doubt rue the chances they had to force a penalty shootout but can hold their heads high as they went down valiantly. 




The final of the Collingwood Cup will take place tomorrow afternoon at the Mardyke Arena and will see Maynooth face NUI Galway. Galway overcame hosts UCC 2-0 in today’s other semi-final.




University of Limerick: Josh Coady (Two-mile Borris), Conor Carew (Aisling Annacotty), Alex Cuddy (Aisling Annacotty), Fintan O’Kelly (Treaty United), Joey Rushe (Aisling Annacotty), Paul Brennan (Aisling Annacotty), Tom Kidd (Aisling Annacotty), Oisín Breen (Kerry FC), David Holden (Wexford FC), Dean Hegarty (Newmarket Celtic), Leon Daly (Aisling Annacotty).




Substitutes: Will Hayes (Wexford Argyle), Josh Toomey (Janesboro), Isaac O’Sullivan (Treaty United), David McCarthy (Newmarket Celtic), Dara Coyne (West Coast United), Tom Kelly (Aisling Annacotty), Marcus Hogan (Regional United)










 

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