Athlone Town Stadium played host to two of the opening CUFL finals for 2022 with TU Dublin claiming the Premier Division spoils while Division Two headed west to NUIG. Elsewhere in Belfast, the Division One final ended Letterkenny IT 2-2 Dundalk IT after extra-time with Letterkenny IT emerging victorious following a penalty shootout.

Premier Division Final

TU Dublin 3 University of Limerick 2
TU Dublin Goals: (Rob Manley, Aaron Dobbs, Dan Dobbin)
University of Limerick Goals: (Edmond O’Dwyer x 2 pens.)

The well fancied TU Dublin justified their favouritism and claimed their first Colleges and Universities Premier Division title with a 3-2 victory over University of Limerick at Athlone Town Stadium.

First half goals from Bray Wanderers star Rob Manley and Wexford FC duo Aaron Dobbs and Dan Dobbin did the damage to send the Dublin side in at half time with a comfortable 3-0 lead.

Although DIT were successful in 2012-13, they have now become the Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) after gaining University status. As a result of this change the TU Dublin side contains players selected from the three TU Dublin campuses in Grangegorman, Blanchardstown and Tallaght.

A cool Rob Manley finish from Harry Groome’s brilliant pull back handed TU Dublin an 18th minute lead. The Dublin side dominated after that but had to wait until the closing stages of the half to double their advantage. Aaron Dobbs steered home the second after fine work by Dan Dobbin and shortly after, Dobbin himself helped himself to the third with his second attempt to beat UL goalkeeper Sean McCormack.

Understandably the Dublin side adopted a more cautious approach after their outstanding first half display on the resumption with Conor Levingston a steadying presence in midfield, but they were rocked half way through the half when Edmond O’Dwyer gave UL hope from the penalty spot.

UL had more of the attacking play after the break and were rewarded midway through the half when Oleg Vysochan was fouled in the box and Edmund O’Dwyer slotted home past Lee Steacy.

The second spot kick came ten minutes from the finish and this time defender Jamin Nwanze was adjudged the culprit and he was dismissed by referee Ray Conlon with O’Dwyer beating Steacy from the spot for the second time.

That gave UL added impetus to chase an equaliser but Steacy denied them on several occasions to allow TU Dublin to hold on for their first title.

TU Dublin: Lee Steacy; Dan Dobbin, Jamin Nwanze, Ray O’Sullivan, Kevin Platon; Villius Labutis, Conor Levingston, Harry Groome, Eoin McPhillips; Rob Manley, Aaron Dobbs. Subs: Matthew O’Brien (for Groome 65), Dan McKenna (for McPhillips 69). Subs not used: Toms Leitis, Charlie Smith, Ciaran O’Sullivan, Paddy Moore, Jack Funge.

University of Limerick: Sean McCormack: Cullen McCabe, Shane McCallion, Colm Barrett, Killian Maloney; Eoin Redmond, Ewen O’Brien; Ciaran Jennings, Edmund O’Dwyer, Oleg Vysochan; David McCarthy. Subs: Theo Joyce (for Vysochan 57), Adam Foley (for Jennings 65), Killian Duffy (for McCabe 65), Conor Whittle (for Redmond 80). Subs not used: Ciaran Barry, Ian Collins, Eoin Tinkler.

Division Two Final

NUI Galway ‘B’ 3 TU Dublin- City Campus 1
NUIG Goals: Aaron Neary x 2 pens, Aaron Duggan
TU Dublin – City Campus Goal: Fayo Adeogun

Late drama in the Colleges and Universities Division Two final at Athlone Town Stadium saw NUI Galway ‘B’ come from behind to capture the title with a 3-1 defeat of the TU Dublin City Campus side.

The opening half remained scoreless after both sides had created several chances. Finn Culleton and Aaron Dossen went close for NUIG and at the other end Michael Adebambo struck the crossbar shortly after Adam Moore had his neat header parried by goalkeeper Thomas Meehan.

The early period of the second half was dominated by TU Dublin and it was no surprise when Fayo Adeogun headed them in front on the hour from a Moore corner. That goal sparked a revival by the Galway side and they drew level with full back Aaron Neary netting from the penalty spot on 72 minutes after handball was given following a scramble in the TU Dublin goalmouth.

The Galway side went on to have much the better of the game and when it looked like extra time would be needed, another penalty was awarded by referee Dean Stenson and Neary made no mistake from the spot kick. A third goal in injury time from Evan Duggan put the icing on the cake for NUI Galway who ended the season on a high, unbeaten in all their league games.

NUI Galway ‘B’: Thomas Meehan; Aaron Neary, Phil Hynes, Daniel McCluskey, Eoin Mahon; Aaron Dossen, Caoilfhionn O’Dea, Finn Culleton, Eoin Dempsey, Rob Silke; Evan Duggan. Subs: Sloane Kyle (for McCluskey 46), Matthew Spain (for Silke 70). Subs not used: Ronan Conneely, James Phillips, Dominic Matel, Ross Corcoran.

TU Dublin- City Campus: Darragh Kenny; Alex Trofim, Shane Meehan, Cormac Moore, Naz Ajaegbo; Fayo Adeogun, Rian Ashe, Magild Musodi, Gilles Foka, Adam Moore; Michael Adebambo. Subs: Zach O’Doherty (for Adebambo 62), Michael Onibokum (for Moore 80), Malik Alimi (for Adeogun 81). Subs not used : Tafadzwa Mututsa, Felix Santos, Victor Ibikunie, Ethan O’Neill.