An Adam Verdon goal secured UCD’s passage through to the First Division play-off final to end gallant 10-man Treaty United’s spirited revival.
Andy Myler’s Students lost 2-1 on the day, but prevailed 4-2 on aggregate.
UCD now meet Bray Wanderers, who stunned Galway United with a terrific Brandon Kavanagh goal at Eamonn Deacy Park, to win the other semi-final 1-0 on aggregate. The final takes place on Friday week at a venue to be decided.
Chasing a 3-0 deficit from last Wednesday’s first leg at Markets Field, league newcomers Treaty delighted their raucous following at the UCD Bowl by taking a deserved lead on eight minutes.
A weak defensive header from Treaty skipper Jack Lynch’s cross dropped invitingly for Conor Melody whose crisp volley found the bottom corner.
UCD responded with Treaty ‘keeper Tadhg Ryan having to make superb saves from Paul Doyle and Collie Whelan while Marc Ludden cleared a Whelan header off the line just before half-time.
Ryan excelled once more three minutes into the second half with a brilliant save from Whelan.
In a roller coaster game, Treaty doubled their lead on the day four minutes later to give them real hope; centre-back Anto O’Donnell meeting Stephen Christopher’s superb cross with a downward header to find the corner of the net.
But in a pivotal moment, that proved Christopher’s last cameo as he was shown a straight red card on 54 minutes for a studs up challenge on Eoin Farrell.
UCD then sealed their passage with a fine goal on 69 minutes.
Whelan held the ball up brilliantly in the corner to find Dara Keane who picked out Verdon to shoot past Ryan at his near post.
There was huge disappointment in the other tie as Galway failed to build on their 0-0 draw at the Carlisle Grounds in front of a packed attendance on the Dyke Road.
The only goal on the day was worthy of winning any tie as midfielder Kavanagh ended a sweeping passing move from the back to rifle home from just inside the area for his seventh strike of the season.
