Goalkeeper Barry Ryan salvaged UCD's season with two saves in a dramatic penalty shoot-out at Belfield last night to maintain their Premier Division status as Athlone Town's promising promotion campaign ended in disappointment.
Ryan saved two spot-kicks from Greg Costello and Alan McNevin while UCD's kickers, Robert McAuley, Derek Swan, Alan Mahon and Robbie Martin were all successful after a rousing 120 minutes.
If the first leg in Athlone had gone against them, everything looked to have fallen into place for UCD for much of last night's return tie.
McAuley put them in the driving seat on the night when adding to Swan's first-minute goal to make it 2-0 four minutes after the break. However, Athlone midfielder Costello forced extra-time with a 25yard free-kick on 71 minutes.
The drama continued into extra-time with Athlone goalkeeper Gary Connaughton saving a penalty from Swan on 112 minutes after Costello handled a Paul O'Mara corner.
Galvanised by both Clive Delaney and captain Tony McDonnell, who passed late fitness tests, UCD scored within 52 seconds to level the tie on aggregate.
Athlone's first foul of the evening received the ultimate punishment as Mick O'Donnell whipped over a free-kick from the left. Delaney knocked the ball down for Swan to head home from just yards out, his fourth crucial goal in six games.
Far from deflating Athlone, they responded with the better chances before half-time. Andy Myler had a goal ruled out for offside while Alan McNevin shot just over the UCD goal after a good touch from Myler carved out the opening.
Ryan in the UCD goal then had to tip over a well placed effort from 25 yards by Stuart Connolly.
In an open game, UCD then wasted a chance to increase their lead on 28 minutes; O'Donnell's hurried shot flying well wide after Ciaran Martyn picked him out following a swift counterattack.
The second-half began as well as the first for UCD as they were 2-0 up within four minutes. Connaughton misjudged a corner from John Martin and McAuley looped a header over him to score.
Admirably, Athlone heads never dropped and they drew level on aggregate on 71 minutes; Costello's free-kick somehow finding its way through the wall after McDonnell had fouled Myler.
UCD: Ryan; Mahon, Delaney, McAuley, O'Donnell; J Martin, Kavanagh, McDonnell, Martyn; Bennis, Swan. Subs: Mooney for Bennis (78 mins), O'Mara for Kavanagh (95 mins), R Martin for J Martin (104 mins).
ATHLONE TOWN: Connaughton; Fitzell, Frawley, McCormack, O'Brien; Kelly, Costello, Connolly; Mullan, Myler, McNevin. Subs: Brazil for O'Brien (61 mins), Carberry for Mullan (68 mins), Harte for Kelly (111 mins).
Referee: A Kelly (Cork)
