UCD 1
Limerick 3
SUCH WAS THE acrimonious nature of Martin Russell’s abrupt departure from UCD, legal proceedings were required to settle the messy break-up. The exact reasons for such a bitter end to a hugely successful tenure remain undisclosed but what is certain is that the club he managed to keep afloat for three successive seasons are sliding perilously close to the trap door this campaign.
As Russell returned to the club for the first time since leaving at the start of the year, the small band of staunch college followers have every right to question why their erstwhile manager occupied the away dugout and not the one opposite.
The Belfield hierarchy’s decision to sever ties with Russell after nine years is becoming increasingly perplexing with each passing week. UCD have now gone eight games without a win as Limerick – now operating with Russell’s philosophy firmly ingrained in their means – outplayed and outmuscled the abject hosts with minimal fuss.
It wasn’t until Rory Gaffney doubled the visitors’ advantage shortly after the interval that the Students woke from their stupor. Even then, it was too little too late. The overwhelming air of desperation that engulfed Belfield as the minutes ticked down was telling. Russell stood in his technical area watching the side that he had nurtured fire blanks.
UCD’s cushion is now three points by virtue after Athlone’s draw with Drogheda but Aaron Callaghan’s side are playing a dangerous game. The students that attended a game for the first time as the club looked to attract new supporters are unlikely to be back for the remaining three home games.
A tedious first half was enlightened only by Gaffney’s eighth goal of the season. Ian Turner was afforded too much space on the right and his pinpoint cross picked out the striker, who pulled away from Hugh Douglas at the back post to powerfully head into the bottom corner.
Under Russell, UCD were, despite defensive frailties, penetrative in attack. They could barely muster a string of passes together here as Limerick dominated the midfield battle. That their only foray into the opposition half was Robbie Benson’s industrious break from midfield told its own story.
The hosts showed more purpose after the interval as Ian Ryan had a shot blocked and Ayman Ben Mohamed’s low shot was well saved by Barry Ryan but they continue to leak goals at the other end. Gaffney latched onto Lee Lynch’s perfectly weighted ball and after turning inside Douglas, composed himself to fire under the advancing Conor O’Donnell.
Conor Cannon gave the hosts hope with a fine finish after Ben Mohamed pounced on a rare Limerick defensive error but Turner combined with Gaffney three minutes later to expose more holes in the UCD defence and restore the visitors’ two goal advantage.
UCD: Conor O’Donnell; Gareth Matthews, Ian Ryan, Hugh Douglas (James Kavanagh, 67’), Sean Coyne; Timmy Molloy, Robbie Creevy, Greg Sloggett (Gary Burke, 75’), Robbie Benson, Ayman Ben Mohamed; Conor Cannon (Samir Belhout, 65’).
Subs not used: Niall Corbet, Thomas O’Halloran, Colm Crowe.
Limerick FC: Barry Ryan; Patrick Nzuzi, Michael Leahy, Robbie Williams (Tony Whitehead, 67’), Shane O’Connor; Ian Turner, Prince Agyemang (Shane Tracey, 73’), Lee Lynch, Shane Duggan, Jack Doherty (Kieran Djilali, 79’); Rory Gaffney.
Subs not used: Ali Abass, Colm Murphy, Thomas McManus, Jason Hughes.
Referee: Anthony Buttimer
