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Sammon strikes late to send Students through

Thursday 16th August 2007, 11:45 pm

Conor Sammon, UCD.

Photo by Tom Carey.

UCD are the first side into the last eight of this year's FAI Cup, leaving it late to beat Dundalk at Oriel Park in tonight's first third round tie. The Students ran out 2-1 winners over the Lillywhites with Conor Sammon snatching the win goal just before the end.

Although in different divisions, it was hard to pick a favourite going into the game and although Dundalk were backed by a typically large home support, UCD started better.

The Students were ahead after only ten minutes when Shane Fitzgerald picked out Derek Doyle for the College man to head home superbly.

Doyle almost put a second past former UCD keeper Niall Gallagher but his speculative long range effort crashed back off the crossbar soon after.

Dundalk struggled to impose themselves on the game before the break and were fortunate to escape a penalty appeal against Dave Crawley.

John Gill obviously weaved his magic at the break and Dundalk came out much stronger in the second period. After testing the visiting defence a number of times, former UCD striker Robbie Doyle levelled matters up on 64 minutes. Doyle was on hand to force the ball home after Philip Hughes' long range shot got away from goalkeeper Darren Quigley.

It took UCD some time to get their composure back although in the mean-time Dundalk couldn't find their way through.

With a Sunday replay at Belfield Park looming, Sammon headed home in the 89th minute after Derek Doyle had sent Conan Byrne's initial cross back across the face of goal.

Dundalk will now have to concentrate on getting their promotion push back on track while UCD have the welcome distraction of another cup run.

Dundalk : Gallagher, Quigley, Hand, Lynch, Crawley, R Dunne (McArdle 80), O'Connor, Marney, Doyle (Vaughan 81), Hughes, Smyth (K Dunne 71)
UCD : Quigley, Shortall, Bermingham, Kenna, Bolger (C Byrne 70), King, Fitzgerald, McFaul, Doyle, Sammon, Finn (Crowley 82).