IT'S FAST 'N' FURIOUS
Late Prouse strike saves champions
November 7th 2000. The Star - Ger Keville.
Dublin University 3 - Stedfast United 3
A last-gasp equaliser from Stedfast's Ciaran Prouse secured a point for the champions against
DCU at Santry Avenue on Saturday. Both sides braved the atrocious conditions to serve up an
exciting contest with plenty of fluent, attacking football. Stedfast, currently depleted by
a long injury list, have so far yet to recreate the kind of football that saw them stroll to
the Premier title last season. But they certainly still have that determination and will to
win and this was evident at the weekend. With the game deep into stoppage time, trailling
3-2 and after doing everything but score the equaliser, it looked like defeat for Stedfast.
Boost
But just when they needed an extra boost, up popped Prouse on the left wing to beat his man and
hammer a low shot into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the area. Dublin
University, without a win from their opening three games this term, have yet to click into
gear themselves, but should be happy enough with a point after trailing 2-0 after just 20
minutes. Henry Fox hit the first on 10 minutes after being put through by Prouse. Fox kept
his composure and steered the ball under keeper James Tremlett. Stedfast were buzzing after
this and double their lead eight minutes later with a somewhat lucky effort. Danny White
pounced on a loose ball 25 yards from goal and his shot deflected over Tremlett into the net.
Stedfast kept up the pressure with Robbie Donnelly and Fox going close but University soon
found their rhythm. Ronan Sherlock sprung the offside trap but he was denied by a fine save
from Stedfast's Derrick Dunne, son of former Manchester United and Ireland goalkeeper Pat.
Barry McCann then hit the crossbar before reducing the deficit five minutes before half time.
It was an individual effort from McCann who skilfully beat two players on the right and drilled
home from 20 yards. Dublin University started the second half just like they finished the
first and were level after 49 minutes. McCann was again involved on the right, feeding Ian
Kelleher who side-stepped his marker and gave Dunne no chance. And the studendts completed
a remarkable turnaround 12 minutes from time. Patrick Whacter, who came on for Tarik Rahman
on the hour mark, was the scorer when he tapped home from close range following good work from
Kelleher and Peter Lennon.
Celebrate
But just as University were about to celebrate a fine victory, Prouse pounced to secure a draw
from the visitors.
STEDFAST
: Derrick Dunne, Joe Reynolds, Mick Morrissey, Ken O'Reilly, Eugene Long,
Brian Farrelly, Danny White, Kevin Norris, Ciaran Prouse, Robbie Donnelly, Henry Fox.
Subs : Robbie Giltrap, Tony Gillick.