UCD secured their place in the First Division play-off final with a 4-0 aggregate victory over Longford Town after a 2-0 win at the UCD Bowl, rte.ie reported. The Students advanced to set up a decisive match against Bray Wanderers, keeping their promotion hopes alive.
UCD Defeats Longford Town at UCD Bowl
Carrying a two-legged advantage from Bishopsgate, UCD maintained control throughout the second leg on home turf. The hosts broke the deadlock after 19 minutes when Sean Murphy delivered an early cross from a throw-in that captain Mikey McCullagh met on the half-volley with his left foot to beat goalkeeper Kian Moore. McCullagh’s strike extended the aggregate lead, leaving Longford with a steep hill to climb in testing conditions that saw Sultan Adenekan booked just two minutes into the match for a heavy challenge on Sam Norval, according to the Irish Independent.
Longford pushed forward in search of a lifeline, but Darragh Murtagh missed early opportunities, firing over the crossbar and seeing an effort deflected wide off defender Harry Curtis. UCD capitalized on the visitors’ attacking lapses. Luca Cailloce rattled the crossbar with an angled shot shortly after the interval before Hugh Smith put the result beyond doubt in the 57th minute. Carl Lennox cleared his lines with a long ball from defense, which Smith collected inside his own half before outpacing tracking defender Andy Paraschiv and finishing low into the corner.
Bray Wanderers Await in Tolka Park Final
UCD will face Bray Wanderers in the First Division play-off final on Sunday at Tolka Park, with kickoff scheduled for 3:00 PM. Bray advanced by defeating Kerry 5-1 on aggregate after a 3-0 victory at a sold-out Carlisle Grounds, where Ben McCormack, John Bilili Sesay, and Tyreik Sammy secured the result. The winner of Sunday’s final will advance to play the ninth-placed team in the Premier Division—currently Drogheda United—for a spot in the top flight next season.
Match Statistics and Lineups
UCD used substitutes to manage the closing stages, introducing Tom Morley, Stephen Mohan, Charles Akinrintayo, Adam Wells, and Matthew Alonge. Longford responded by bringing on Stefan Ugbesia, Scott Brady, Jamie Egan, Dean George, and Daniel McKenna. In injury time, Longford goalkeeper Kian Moore denied substitute Stephen Mohan with a flying save to prevent a third goal.
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