McClelland saves UCD as Ranch run out of road

CIE RANCH 2 UCD 6

(AFTER EXTRA-TIME)

CIE Ranch gave UCD a big fright before bowing bravely out of the FAI Cup at Greenogue.

The Leinster Senior League side stunned First Division leaders to run up a 2-0 lead inside 15 minutes.

Graham Griffiths’ low cross to the back post was turned into his own net by UCD defender Daniel Tobin eight minutes in.

Seven minutes later, Ranch right-Back Glenn McCabe whipped over the first corner of the game for central defender Edward Smith to score with a towering header.

UCD pulled a goal back on 31 minutes, Yoyo Mahdy tapping home a Jason McClelland cross.

Under the cosh throughout the second half, Ranch lost skipper Gary Sullivan to a straight red card on 74 minutes for a lunging tackle on Conor Davis.

UCD pressed to the death but were struggling to find another way past an inspired Sean Brazil in the Ranch goal who made a brilliant stop with his feet from Jason McClelland’s low drive 10 minutes from time. But McClelland rescued College on 89 minute, levelling with a fiercely struck low drive to force extra-time.

Substitute Sean McDonald then hooked home to put UCD ahead on 99 minutes. Mahdy added to that on 107 minutes when drilling home from the edge of the area before McClelland also got his second three minutes later. Skipper Gary O’Neill waltzed through to get a sixth three minutes from the end.

CORK CITY 4 MAYNOOTHUNIVTOWN 0

HOLDERS Cork City had a comfortable win at Turner’s Cross despite a slow start.

Aaron Barry’s header just before the half-hour had John Caulfield’s side in front and only good saves from David Sterio prevented the lead from being extended before half-time.

Kieran Sadlier had the second goal soon after the restart and, though FAI Intermediate Cup holders Maynooth might have got a goal back immediately, Darragh Reynor heading at Peter Cherrie from Eoin McDermott’s cross.

Immediately after that, Josh O’Hanlon made it 3-0 from a penalty on 67, having been fouled himself. Ronan Coughlan completed the scoring for the Rebel Army, turning in sub Ronan Hurley’s cross.

DUNDALK 2 FINNHARPS 0

DESPITE making a host of changes, Dundalk still had enough quality to see off First Division title hopefuls Finn Harps at Oriel Park.

Both sides had early chances with Ciaran Coll curling a free-kick just wide before John Mountney saw a thundering drive come back off the underside of the bar.

Dundalk made the breakthrough in the 24th minute when Ronan Murray drilled home a penalty after Jacob Borg upended Dane Massey.

Murray turned provider for the second in the 52nd minute, crossing for Georgie Kelly to head home his first goal for the Lilywhites.

Harps boss Ollie Horgan was sent to the stands shortly after by referee Paul McLaughlin and Dundalk should have added more goals in the latter stages through Dylan Connolly.

LIMERICK 2 CABINTEELY 1

GOALS in either half saw Limerick through at the Markets Field.

It took an error for the deadlock to be broken as Karl Manahan’s under hit back pass was seized upon by Conor Ellis and he rounded Stephen McGuinness to finish into an empty net on the half hour.

Any hope of a Cabinteely fightback all but disappeared 12 minutes into the second half when Ellis’ good run opened up a chance for Barry Maguire who fired to the net on the rebound after McGuinness’ initial save.

Cabinteely struck late on when Kevin Knight scrambled to the net in the 90th minute and Jack Tuite should have forced extra time but missed a guilt-edged chance and Limerick held on.

DROGHEDA UNITED 0 WATERFORD 1

BASTIEN HERY’S superb longrange strike proved the knockout blow for Drogheda as Waterford emerged the victors at United Park.

The French midfielder struck after just four minutes, beating Paul Skinner with a shot that flew into the net from 30 yards out.

Tim Clancy’s team accounted for Shamrock Rovers in the first round but found Waterford a tougher proposition, with Ismahil Akinade a constant thorn in their side.

Paul Keegan, an FAI Cup winner with Drogheda in 2005, captained the visitors and his midfield partner Gavan Holohan, another ex-Drog, saw a header ruled out for offside before the break. The hosts did offer a threat. Chris Lyons headed straight at Niall Corbet and then shot, while the impressive Mark Doyle went closest but he shot wide.

GALWAY UNITED 0 BOHEMIANS 2

DARRAGH LEAHY and Eoghan Stokes hit the goals for Bohs as they easily worked their way past Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park.

The home side were punished for a poor defensive start and were caught out on six minutes when Leahy’s cross found the top corner of Tadhg Ryan’s net.

A change in formation saw United improve and despite all their domination, Bohs had to be satisfied with just a 1-0 half-time lead.

United were fortunate not to concede a second in the 50th minute when JJ Lunney’s penalty was saved well by Ryan, and after that Ryan was again called into action to deny Keith Buckley.

However, he couldn’t stop Stokes sealing the win late on.