UCD draw with Sligo as referee treated for nasty knock

UCD and Sligo Rovers swapped headed goals in settling for a point apiece at the UCD Bowl in a game marred by a nasty injury to referee David Dunne.

Karl O'Sullivan put Sligo ahead early in the second half with Dylan Duffy deservedly levelling for the Students.

Despite pressing well from the kick-off, Sligo struggled to trouble the home defence early on before a defensive miscue at the other end almost allowed Liam Kerrigan a run in on goal for the first scent of a chance on 16 minutes.

Sligo goalkeeper Ed McGinty read the situation well, racing outside his area to make a fine tackle on the UCD winger and clear the danger.

Sligo's first sight of goal didn’t arrive until the 37th minute from the game’s first corner.

Adam McDonnell drove the ball low to the edge of the box for Aidan Keena whose flicked effort was straight at Kian Moore between the College posts.

Within a minute, a mistake by Shane Blaney might have gifted UCD the lead.

Again McGinty rescued his side, off his line quickly to make himself big before saving Duffy’s shot with his feet.

With the game having finally sparked to life, Moore did well back at the other end when holding a stinging drive from the menacing Keena.

The Sligo striker then produced the moment of the half, gliding past two defenders only to see his shot tenaciously blocked by UCD skipper Jack Keaney.

As in the first, Sligo started the second half on the front foot. And this time they found a way to goal.

Again Keena was central, turning past Evan Osam inside the area.

And though his powerful drive was deflected up into the air by Moore, midfielder O’Sullivan nodded the dropping ball into the net.

The game was then held up for some six minutes just before the hour mark while Dublin referee Dunne was taken