UCD B 5 – 3 Ballymun United
Ireland Leinster Senior League | 6 June 2026

Goal Fest at the UCD Bowl

UCD B came out on top in a thrilling eight-goal encounter against Ballymun United at the UCD Bowl. The home side’s attacking firepower proved decisive, though Ballymun twice fought back from two-goal deficits before eventually succumbing to a late flurry.

Explosive Start

The match exploded into life inside the first 15 minutes. UCD B took the lead in the 6th minute when winger Cian McNamee cut inside from the left and curled a shot into the far corner. Ballymun responded immediately – striker Jamie O’Rourke equalised from a corner in the 11th minute. UCD B regained the lead three minutes later through a powerful header from centre-back Sean O’Brien, making it 2-1.

By the half-hour mark, UCD B had stretched their lead to 4-1. A quick counter-attack ended with midfielder Kevin Brennan slotting home in the 24th minute, and then McNamee added his second of the night with a composed finish inside the box. Ballymun pulled one back before half-time – winger Dylan Finnegan converting a penalty after a handball in the area.

Second-Half Drama

Ballymun came out with renewed determination and dominated the opening 20 minutes of the second half. O’Rourke scored his second goal in the 55th minute, turning in a loose ball from a free kick to make it 4-3. The visitors pushed for an equaliser, but UCD B’s goalkeeper Conor Healy made two excellent saves to keep his team ahead.

The home side weathered the storm and sealed the win in the 78th minute. Substitute Luke O’Riordan intercepted a misplaced pass in midfield, drove forward, and squared for Brennan to score his second of the game, making it 5-3. Ballymun had no answer in the final ten minutes, and UCD B held on for a memorable victory.

Standout Players

• Cian McNamee (UCD B) – Two goals and constant menace on the flank; his dribbling caused Ballymun problems all night.
• Kevin Brennan (UCD B) – Scored a brace and covered huge ground in midfield, linking defence and attack.
• Jamie O’Rourke (Ballymun United) – A hat-trick of goals that nearly sparked a comeback; his movement was excellent.

League Impact

The win moved UCD B up to fourth in the Leinster Senior League table, keeping them in contention for a promotion playoff spot. Ballymun United remained in mid-table, but the defeat ended a three-match unbeaten run. The high-scoring nature of the match was in keeping with the league’s reputation for entertaining football – the teams have now combined for 15 goals in their last two meetings.

Manager John Kelly of UCD B praised his side’s resilience: “We knew Ballymun would never give up. We had to dig deep in the second half, and the character to score the fifth goal showed real quality.”