Official Round-Up (7th March) :
An eventful day was round 5 of the UCD Premier League, where there was penalties galore, a controversial red card and many doubtful offside decisions.
Starting at Mount Lucas Park, where Esker United made it two wins out of two in their charge up the table and away from the relegation zone. An injury to star frontman Graham Keane didn't have much effect on Esker as they were three up after 30 minutes. However, playing much of the whole game with a defender up front probably cost Esker more goals.
ACDC Fc had a narrow 1-2 win over Devils Balls, in a controversial game. A doubtful 2nd minute penalty put Laffan's team ahead, while a late 89th minute red card ruined a good day's work. A close game that the Devils will feel unlucky to lose.
4 goals in 24 minutes, and then no more all game as Donkey Ballers and Walsh Island drew 2-2 at The Rusty Shed. A Sheldon Welsby penalty equalised in an even game, with a notable performance from Rob Drogheda. Both managers will feel happy with a point in a game of few chances second half.
Celeb Monington again showed his worth as Rastas Fc ran out 3-0 winners over Liffey Valley. A man of the match performance from defender Tommy Ryding, who set up 2 goals in the encounter. Rastas clearly dominated in a professional performance which will have again underlined Rastas as title favourites after last wednesday's small blip.
Official Round-Up (4th March):
Round four was a rather unusual day in the UCD Premier League as each of the three teams with 100% winning starts to the league saw these records go today.
For league leaders Rastas Fc, they couldn't find a second against the defensively sound Devils Balls. And as we all know, one goal leads are never safe and a 90th minute long range effort from Barclay Lynott saw O' Donnell's boys rescue a last minute point.
This gave ACDC fc a chance to take the clear lead in the league but Laffan's men couldn't capitalise either. A 1st minute goal made it seem as if life for Laffans's boys would be easy but Donkey Ballers clawed their way back into the game and deserved their 2-2 draw away from home.
Also with a 100% record was Walsh Island Fc but in a game with goals coming from everywhere, Conor Goulding masterminded a 3-5 away win over Mulhall's team. A first win for Haters lifts them back into the mix.
Meanwhile, Ronan Kirrane's Kings invited Esker to Kirraneifornia. After neither team had a point all season, something had to give. A game that Esker just had the edge, even after being reduced to 10 men for Shabani's rash challenge on 31 minutes. But as it looked set for a 0-0 stalemate, captain James Trought popped up for a 90th minute winner.
Official Round-Up (28th February):
Day 3 of the UCD Premier League was most certainly a good day for the so called 'Big Boys' in the League. This was due to the 3 teams with 100% records so far (ACDC Fc; Walsh Island Fc; Rastas Fc) all winning again.
Laffan's boys had probably their biggest scare of the season when Playa Haters came back from 0-3 down to equalise before they narrowly clinched it with a late 4th goal. This keeps ACDC Fc in second, only on goal differnce.
The early leaders, Rastas Fc, also had a narrow victory over Donkey Ballers with a 2-1 win. The decisive goal came from long-range in the 46th minute, although Donkey Ballers will feel they deserved something for their efforts.
James Mulhall's Walsh Island had a comfortable 2-0 victory over Kirraneifornia Kings who sit bottom after losing three games from three. Worrying signs for manager Ronan as his team has yet to register a point this season.
In the last fixture, Liffey Valley scored a late, late goal to deny Gareth O' Donnell's Devil's Balls a point which they probably deserved on their performance merits. But it's the second time Valley have scored very late on and manager Carmody must be pleased with his team's 'never say die' attitude so far. This leaves Valley sitting 3rd and comfortably away from the bottom sides.
Official Round-Up (25th February):
On day two of the UCD Premier League we expected to see exactly who will be competing for this year's title, along with who will have a struggle on their hands for league safety. And it showed us just that with the four played fixtures.
After an electrifying start, the heat was on Rastas Fc to see if their apparent title ambitions would continue. After going behind on 4 minutes to a Pinnock header it did look as if Rastas would struggle to get to grips with Playa H8R. However, soon after Caleb Monington put them level before Andy Morris (2) and Monington again sealed a comfortable away win for Rastas Fc.
After an edgy first half, ACDC Fc put four past Kirraneifornia Kings who now lie bottom on 0 points from 2 games. Spencer Birch tore the Kings apart and put Laffan's side level on points with the Rastas after their 4 - 0 victory.
Donkey Ballers and Liffey Valley played out an edgy 1 - 1 draw which either side could have won. Kevin McDermott may feel his side deserved more from the game but Rangers' keeper Celbridge proved too difficult to beat twice.
In the final game of the day, Dean Kavanagh's Esker United have all but been ruled out of this season's title race. Kavanagh's men were mediocre at best and again looked unprepared to deal with Mulhall's 5-man midfield, perhaps taking inspiration from ACDC Fc's approach. Kavanagh's men came to level at 2 - 2 but like last week, couldn't sustain their challenge and Walsh Island went back ahead only 60 seconds later. With a good start, Mulhall's men might be ones to watch for the title, but Kavanagh's men certainly won't be challenging this year.
Official Round-Up (21st February):
In the first round of games in the UCD Premier League there was an absolute mix of everything. Some title hopes were dented, while some new possible challengers emerged from the ranks.
At Heuston, Phil Goulding's Rastas FC proved that the season doesn't start till the first competitive game kicks off. Worry had surrounded Heuston before kick-off but The Rastas proved they're not just involved to make up the numbers with a 4-1 win over Kirraneifornia Kings. A new 4-3-3 formation along with a man of the match performance from Andy Morris hepled secure the win.
At Ballyowen park, a 94th minute penalty ensured a 2-1 victory for Gary Carmody's Liffey Valley. The last minute penalty was taken by Réamann Berret who was inspiring in his man of the match performance also. It will be a tough one to take for Conor Goulding who probably felt his team deserved a point.
Little to report from The Rusty Shed where both teams looked happy to escape with a point. A physical game of bookings and injuries, where chances were few and far between, althought Gareth O' Donnell's Devils might just have nicked it towards the end.
In the game of the day, Esker United's title talk was hit a huge blow as ACDC FC came to Mount Lucas and nicked a 2-3 win in a thrilling game. Kavanagh's men had twice equalised before Martin Axhorn slotted home the winner. Kavanagh's men just couldn't compete in midfield with Laffan's 4-5-1 system and will have been unhinged by this defeat. Laffan's men on the other hand have now put themselves out as clear title favourites and have set their stall out for the season ahead.
