LOPES TOP OF THE CLASS
Posted in Latest NewsMarch 14, 2013Comments Off
Roberto Lopes will have the bragging rights between two ex-Belvedere boys in the Bohemians dressing room this week.
‘Pico’, 19, marshalled the defence as DIT beat Stephen Traynor’s DCU 2-0 to claim the College & Universities Football League Premier Division title on Wednesday.
DCU didn’t have to travel too far from campus for the Frank Cooke Park decider but Traynor and Co were up against it when they were reduced 10 men after 40 minutes as Rory Dunleavy got his marching orders from referee Paul Tuite for a second bookable offence.
And DIT made the most of the extra man as Aaron O’Dwyer gave them the lead early in the second half.
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DCU had opportunities to level the game – a curling shot from Traynor went narrowly wide – before Sam Simpson netted in the final minutes to seal victory for DIT and with it the college’s first-ever CUFL Premier Division title.
While Lopes toasted victory, 21-year-old Traynor wasn’t the only player with Bohs links left disappointed. The midfielder’s DCU team-mates on the day included Robbie Gaul, Dan Mahon and David Lodola – all of whom were previously on the books at Dalymount Park.
Last week, another Gypsy picked up a medal at this level as winger Andy Mulligan lifted the Colleges FAI Cup alongside former Bohemians goalkeeper Craig Sexton.
DCU: B Dale, M Logan, D Gaul, G McArdle, R Gaul, R Dunleavy, D Mahon, S Traynor, M Isichei, D Lodola, P Kavanagh. Subs: P O’Driscoll for Kavanagh 46 mins; D Brick for Lodola 46; D Aherne for Mahon 81.
DIT: N Cooney, C Dowd, R Matthews, R Lopes, N Cooney, P Malone, D Soon, E Murray, J Conroy, T Smullen, A O’Dwyer. Subs: D Higgins for Smullen 83; S Simpson for Soon 83; S Crowe for Dowd 89; C Smith for Murray 90.
REFEREE: P Tuite (Dublin).
(Pictures, courtesy of Sportsfile, show 1) Lopes and his DIT team-mates celebrating at the end of the game and 2) Lopes closing in on David Lodola)