Runaway First Division leaders Cork City ensured a swift return to the elite of Irish Football with a hard-earned victory at the home of second-placed UCD.
Malik Dijksteel’s second-half winner ensured the Leesiders were crowned champions, sparking wild celebrations and a pitch invasion at full-time, as the unstoppable Rebels sealed the deal with six games to spare.
In a fiery start, the home side’s talisman Ronan Finn, quickly found midfield partner Jake Doyle, who stung the palms of Bradley Wade from 30 yards out.
The hosts were desperately trying to spoil the party and should have been ahead moments later when the in-form Mikey Raggett raced clear on goal but dragged his shot agonisingly wide.
The visitors responded well and thought they had taken the lead when Charlie Lyons headed home from a Greg Bolger free-kick, only to see the flag raised for offside.
There were chances a plenty at both ends. Cian Bargary did brilliantly to get to the end line but cut the ball just a yard behind Sean Maguire, who had the goal at his mercy, before Finn sent a 25-yard thunderbolt inches wide on the stroke of half time.
The end-to-end entertainment continued into the second half as Maguire was denied by Moore, who got a good hand up to stop a clever dink, before Raggett’s deflected effort somehow beat both Wade and the foot of the post.
With just over 20 minutes remaining, the visitors got the goal their boisterous travelling support craved when the unmarked Dijksteel fired home from inside the area.
Chants of “We are going up” echoed around the stadium but it was a nervy ending for Cork manager Tim Clancy – who penned a new two-year deal last night – as the Students threw the kitchen sink at them for the remainder.
However, Cork held firm to ensure their return to the top flight at the first attempt.
UCD: Kian Moore; Niall Holohan, Adam Wells, Eanna Clancy, Luke O’Regan; Adam Verdon (Adam Brennan, 86 mins), Ronan Finn, Sean Brennan (Sam Norval, 78); Jake Doyle, Mikey Raggett (Donal Higgins, 86), Hugh Parker (Stephen Mohan, 78).
Cork City: Bradley Wade; Darragh Crowley, Cian Coleman, Charlie Lyons, Evan McLoughlin; Cian Bargary (Joshua Fitzpatrick, 83), Sean Murray (Barry Coffey, 65), Greg Bolger, Malik Dijksteel (Conor Drinan, 83); Sean Maguire (Cian Murphy, 89), R uairi Keating
Referee: Daniel Murphy
Wexford moved up to third in the First Division table after a 2-1 win away at Cobh Ramblers.
Ethan Boyle opened the scoring for the visitors at St Colman’s Park on 37 minutes before Jack Larkin levelled for Cobh shortly after the break.
But Wexford found a winner 17 minutes from time via Aaron Dobbs to take all three points and move to within four points of UCD.
Finn Harps gave their play-off hopes a big boost with a 4-1 win at Athlone Town.
Patrick Ferry’s brace had the visitors firmly in control at the interval and Success Edogun made the points safe in the 75th minute.
Gideon Tetteh got a consolation for Athlone but Edogun also doubled up for a win that brought Harps within five points of Athlone and four of fifth-placed Bray Wanderers.
Bray will be looking nervously over their shoulders after a 1-0 defeat away to Longford Town.
The bottom-of-the-table hosts recorded just their fourth win of the season thanks to Daniel Norris’ 67th-minute free-kick.
Treaty United scored a late late equaliser to avoid defeat in their all-Munster clash with Kerry FC.
The visitors took the lead in the 58th minute through a fine solo strike from Sean McGrath but Evan O’Connor made it 1-1 in the 101st minute after an injury during the five additional minutes signalled.
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