UCD held at home as O’Sullivan brace extends Waterford’s lead at top of division 1

UCD 2

Cabinteely 2

THE STUDENTS RALLIED back from two goals down to claim a point at home to Cabinteely.

George Kelly cancelled out a first-half brace from Kieran Marty Waters, finding the net in each half stop UCD’s south Dublin rivals from leaving campus with a win.

Waters opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a fine solo effort, cutting in from the right flank to guide a low finish beyond goalkeeper Niall Corbet.

The advantage was doubled from the spot 15 minutes later after Liam Scales was adjudged to have fouled Jack Watson.

Kelly rounded the ‘keeper just before half-time to pull a goal back. But with Cabinteely digging deep and preventing the hosts from building a rhythm, it took until the 74th minute for Kelly to blast in a terrific equaliser and punish the Cabinteely defenders for failing to clear.

Waterford 2

Athlone Town 1

After a goalless first-half, this encounter made up for lost time with a frenetic 25 minutes to begin the second half.

Mark O’Sullivan opened the scoring with a fine header, diverting home Kenny Browne’s flick-on from a 47th minute corner.

O’Sullivan showed his physical prowess again to extend Waterford’s lead, out-muscling a defender to take command of Matthew Connor’s goal-kick and finish.

The midlanders hit back within two minutes through Christophe Rodrigues and could have easily been level with 20 minutes to go. Having pulled a goal back, Rodrigues was taken down by Conor Whittle for a penalty, but from the spot Connor denied Conor Barry.

Cobh Ramblers battled back from a goal down to win in Wexford thanks to James McSweeney’s first goal for the club and a timely header from Matthew Whelan.

The visitors should have been ahead in the 12th minute as they won a penalty for a foul on Whelan. However, Scott McCarthy was unable to take full advantage of the opportunity. Instead, Wexford took the lead on 22 minutes thanks to a terrific volley from Adam Hanlon.

Just over five minutes later, Ramblers were level thanks to McSweeney’s touch to deflect a Coleman shot into the net. The visitors had to weather a storm to remain at 1 – 1 early in the second half, but got their rewards as Whelan rose to head in the winner.