Colm Whelan denies Dundalk with late leveler for UCD

An inspired Colm Whelan struck a brace as bottom UCD fought back from two goals down against 10-man Dundalk to secure a fully deserved share of the spoils in a thriller at the UCD Bowl.

Undalk survived a scare after just three minutes when Darragh Leahy had to clear her line from Whelan’s chip after a fumble from goalkeeper Nathan Shepperd.

Dundalk hit back with Patrick Hoban threatening twice before they took the lead in the 18th minute from a corner he won.

And although Keith Ward’s delivery was gone, it fell to Paul Doyle – who scored twice in UCD’s promotion playoff games last year – to put a deflected shot into the net.

UCD were close to equalizing when skipper Jack Keaney delivered a header just past Liam Kerrigan’s free-kick before Dundalk was reduced to 10 men in first-half injury time when veteran defender Andy Boyle, who started his career at UCD, got a red Card saw Dara Keane for a longing challenge.

Despite being up front in the second half, UCD fell further behind after 54 minutes.

Daniel Kelly’s pace put him behind 18-year-old Yoro, who tripped the Dundalk winger.

Hoban sent teenage goalkeeper Kian Moore the wrong way with the resulting penalty.

The College hit back after the hour with a great finish from Whelan, who sent home Mark Dignam’s quick cross at the near post.

Evan Caffrey then won a penalty in the 76th minute which Whelan effortlessly saved.

UCD: bogs; Gallagher, Yoro (Ryan, 56); Todd, Osam; Keane (Verdon, ht), Keaney; Kerrigan, Caffrey, Dignam (Nolan, 70); whelan.

Dundalk: Shepherd; Makari, Gartland, Boyle, Leahy; Doyle (Martin, 90+2), Sloggett; Adams (Bone, ht), Ward (Benson, ht), Kelly (Bradley, 73); Hoban (McMillan, 73).

Referee: Damien MacGraith (Mayo).