UCD 1 (1)
Slovan Bratislava 5 (6)
UCD’S EUROPEAN ODYSSEY has come to an end as Slovan Bratislava proved a hurdle too far for Collie O’Neill’s embattled Students.
After trailing by a single goal from the first-leg, UCD were always facing a stiff challenge to overhaul the deficit and extend their Europa League adventure but a goal just before the break was a knockout blow.
Slovakian international Robert Vittek, who scored four goals at the 2010 World Cup, struck a hat-trick, including two in injury time, to add gloss to the scoreline but UCD produced another valiant performance.
The visitors scored three goals in the final nine minutes.
The League of Ireland side were far from outplayed at the Belfield Bowl and were rewarded with a consolation shortly before the hour mark when Ryan Swan continued his incredible scoring run in Europe.
The striker scored in both legs of their first round win over F91 Dudelange and brought his tally to three for the campaign with another neat finish.
It’s just one of the many positives UCD can take from a memorable journey.
UCD: N Corbet, M Langtry, M Leahy, T Boyle, M Kouogun, D Watts, R Benson, G O’Neill, C Mulhall, R Swan, J Doyle.
Slovan Bratislava: J Mucha, B Sekulic, M Dobrotka, F Kubik, J Poduny, R Lasic, S Stefanik, M Milinkovic, K Salata, A Skrelak, R Vittek.
