News

Rushe stars as UL down Carlow News: results

Posted By	Men's Soccer
Posted On	15th Oct 2025
Author	Mark Nolan (Fixtures Secretary)

CUFL Premier Division

University of Limerick 2-1 SETU Carlow

The University of Limerick began their CUFL League campaign with a dramatic 2-1 win over SETU Carlow at Maguire’s Pitches this afternoon.

Goals in either half from club stalwart Joey Rushe secured a crucial three points for the home side against a formidable Carlow team that arrived in Limerick off the back of a sizeable win over TU Dublin last week.

UL were immediately reminded of the threat their opposition posed when a dangerous ball was cut back from the byline inside the opening two minutes, luckily it evaded its intended target and the danger was averted.

The home team settled into the game and a superb piece of skill produced their first chance of the game just after five minutes. A long ball forward was expertly controlled by David McCarthy who hooked the ball over his left shoulder and into the path of winger Leon Daly.

The Clare native raced forward drawing a save from the Carlow keeper.

Carlow’s forays into the UL half were mainly coming down the wings with Joey Rushe and Michael Mulcahy doing well for the home side to nullify their attempts.

The deadlock was eventually broken with fifteen minutes played. UL turned over possession in their own half and countered with real speed. Some smart combinations saw the ball progress up the right wing before McCarthy was played in.

As the Newmarket Celtic man was about to latch onto the ball he was taken out by a Carlow defender inside the area leaving the referee with no option but to award a penalty.

Rushe was the man to step forward and he made no mistake from twelve yards dispatching the ball beyond the Carlow shot stopper and into the bottom right corner of the net.

As so often can be the case Carlow opened up as they looked to find a way back into the game leaving gaps at the back. A booming clearance from UL keeper Josh Coady was flicked on by McCarthy and off the head of a Carlow defender allowing Donnacha O’Leary to race through on goal.

The Carlow goalkeeper rushed out but misjudged the flight of the ball, O’Leary did well to get a touch on the ball but he could do little to direct it goal wards before it went out of play.

That missed opportunity was immediately rued as Carlow found their way back into the game. A well delivered corner saw a scramble in the box with the ball hitting off a UL body and into the net.

Despite this setback UL came closest to taking a lead into the interval, Jack Ahern saw a fine header go just wide before the short whistle.

The visitors started the second half on the front foot placing UL under a prolonged period of pressure. However the centre half pairing of Fintan O’Kelly and David Holden showed composure to beyond their years to snuff out the danger keeping the sides level.

When the Shannonsiders did get a hold of the ball they posed a constant threat especially out wide. Isaac O’Sullivan and Harry Sherlock were winning the fiercely contested midfield battle and found O’Leary and Daly on the wings.

The widemen were giving their markers no piece and the Carlow defence found itself called into action to clear several dangerous balls.

Coady was kept on his toes between the posts for UL with the Tipperaryman making some crucial saves to deny Carlow.

With both sides knowing the value of a win they looked to the bench to make an impact with UL introducing Rubin McCarthy, Marcus Hogan and Tommy Lillis as the game entered the final quarter.

Daly and O’Leary continued to hound their markers and tempers began to flair as Carlow resorted to petulant fouls in order to halt UL’s advances into their half.

As the clock hit ninety minutes Daly found himself advancing up the right wing only to be brought down on the far right of the Carlow box.

UL sent forward their big men as they looked to secure a late winner. They needn’t have bothered as Rushe delivered one of his trademark set piece stunners.

The Aisling Annacotty man composed himself, took a few steps back before curling a sensational effort into the far corner of the Carlow net sparking wild celebrations on the sidelines.

A superb goal to add to Rushe’s growing highlight reel in the green of UL.

Carlow did push for an equaliser and a string of stoppages saw nearly eight minutes of added time played but UL held out for a crucial victory.

With three points on the board they now prepare for a trip to Dublin to face TU Dublin in Blanchardstown next Tuesday.