UCD claimed their second Newstalk A Division title in three years following a dramatic final at the UCD Bowl in Belfield last night (Monday). Graham Lusk scored UCD's opener in the first minute before Paddy Madden equalised in the 68th minute. In a dramatic end to a lively encounter, Lusk claimed his second goal deep into injury-time as extra-time loomed to give the students the Newstalk A title.

UCD took a shock lead in the first attack of the game as Chris Mulhall made space for the cross on the right wing and as the Bohemian defence failed to clear their lines, Graham Rusk collected the ball inside the area and fired past Chris O'Connor to put his team in front in the first minute.

 

In a pulsating first half of end to end action, Bohemians almost hit back through star striker Paddy Madden who forced UCD goalkeeper, Ger Barron into a save in the 30th minute with a powerful header. Bohemians midfielder, Stephen Traynor almost scored with an audacious effort from 25 yards but his powerful shot was no match for Barron who blocked his shot.

 

UCD should have doubled their advantage a minute later after an impressive build-up at the edge of Bohemians box allowed Paul O'Connor space inside the area but his stinging shot was saved at point blank range by Chris O'Connor.

 

In a tentative opening to the second-half, Bohemians started the stronger of both sides and substitute, Lee Dixon almost made a an instant impact within seconds of his introduction as his long range effort went just over Ger Barron's crossbar in the 58th minute. Dixon was on-hand yet again in the 65th minute when Paddy Madden flashed the ball across the UCD box but Dixon screwed his shot inches wide of the post.

 

Bohemians were struggling to cope with the attacking threat of UCD's Chris Mulhall on the right-wing and he came agonisingly close to doubling the students lead in the 67th minute but his 25 yard shot went just over the bar.

 

Bohemians grabbed the equaliser in the 68th minute in the move of the match as Stephen Traynor played a sublime ball to Aaron Greene on the UCD endline and Greene played a first time ball to Paddy Madden who stroked the ball past UCD keeper, Ger Barron.

 

Aaron Green should have taken the lead in the 80th minute but his volley from 6 yards went inches over the bar.

 

Bohemian's Aaron Greene almost grabbed the winning goal in the final minute with a fine strike at the edge of the box but his effort was deflected over the bar by the UCD defence.

 

With extra-time looming, UCD's winning strike came in the third minute of injury time through Graham Rusk who collected the ball at the edge of the six yard box following a neat through ball from Keith Ward and he shot past Chris O'Connor to claim UCD's second Newstalk A Division title in three years.

 

UCD AFC: Ger Barron, Gareth Matthews, Ciaran Nangle, Andy Boyle, Michael Kelly, Paul O’Connor, Chris Mulhall

Stephen Roche, Graham Rusk, Keith Ward, Karl Moore.

 

Substitutes: Michael Leahy (on for Matthews, 12 mins), Danny Fallon (on for Kelly, 80 mins), David McMillan (on for Moore, 80 mins) John Kelly, Stephen Doyle.

 

Bohemian FC: Chris O’Connor, Mark O’Reilly, Anto Corcoran, Roberto Lopez, Kevin Feely, Shane Keely, Stephen Chambers, Stephen Traynor, Paddy Madden, David Lodolo, Aaron Greene.

 

Substitutes: Craig Sexton, Keith Buckley, Chris Forrester (on for Traynor, 81 mins), Lee Dixon (on for Lodolo, 57 mins), Derek Kavanagh.

 

Referee: Rhona Daly.