LIFE IN THE 'FAST LANE
United finish in style
May 16th 2000. The Star by Pat O'Rourke.
Stedfast United 8 - Dublin University 1
Champagne football flowed at Marley Park on Saturday where Stedfast United clinched their
third UCL Premier Division title in four years. A depleted Dublin University side were
innocent bystanders in a one-sided game where the hosts needed just one point to claim
this latest success. Back in the Ballinteer House, home of United's sponsors, came more
good news when it emerged that Stedfast's seconds had won the First Division title after
nearest challengers, Castle Rovers, slipped up against FC Ailesbury. For this fixture,
Dublin University could only field 10 players with their manager Tony Carey citing the
previous night's 'Trinity Ball' as having an impact on squad numbers. But Billy Long's
Stedfast side have been tremendous all season and with two league games still to play, are
hoping to remain upbeaten. United set about their task in positive fashion and were rewarded
with some well-taken goals in a fine team performance. Ace poacher Gary Whyte bagged half of
United's total bringing him up to an incredible 44 for the season. Henry Fox weighed in with
a brace while Robert Donnelly and Karl Walsh notched the other two.
Lead
Ironically, Dublin University were one of the few teams to get anything out of Stedfast this
season but when they drew 2-2 earlier in the campaign after taking a 2-0 lead. United opened
the scoring after eight minutes when Fox brilliantly headed home Whyte's quality cross into the
box. Two minutes later it was 2-0, Whyte latched onto a through ball from midfielder Kevin
Norris to shoot paster keeper Conor Murphy. The stroll in the sunshine continued in the 19th
minute when United made it 3-0. Walsh sped down the right wing and centred for Whyte who lobbed
Murphy with a half volley. The visitors didn't look like threatening intil the 33rd mintue. Tarik
Rahman chased a ball back into the corner, turned inside full-back Johnny Kingston and shot just
wide of the upright. Two minutes later the champagne corks were popping around the well known
southside venue when the Ballinteer men made it 4-0. Walsh, who was given the freedo, of Marley
Park, took the ball from the half-way line, outpaced Andy Carroll and beat Murphy with a low shot
from eight yards. The champions elect could have been forgiven for not wanting to return for the
second half in order to start the celebrations earlier, but to their credit they maintained their
zest for more goals.
Break
There was a minor blip in proceedings five minutes after the break when Dublin University scored
a consolation goal, Brian Creedon firing home after a pass by Brian Murphy. Within minutes, the
home side restored their four-goal advantage, substitute Robert Donnelly slotting home after being
played in by Fox. In the 65th minute Whyte scored a fine individual goal when he ran from just
inside his opponent's half before powering a shot into the top corner. Fox and Whyte netted two
more shortly after, prompting Graham Caswell to call a premature halt to the proceedings and so let
the party begin. Stedfast manager Billy Long said afterwards: "I'm delighted for the lads. They
are a great bunch to work with and have shown great commitment over a long season."
STEDFAST
: Derek Dunne, Johnny Kingston, Eugene Long, Niall Little, Joe Reynolds,
Aidan Delaney, Karl Walsh, Kevin Norris, Gary Whyte, Robert Doyle, Henry Fox.
Subs : Robert Giltrap, Robert Donnelly, Brian Farrelly, John Rossiter.
REFEREE: Chris O’Neill.