UCD’S EUROPEAN ADVENTURE got off to a thrilling start this evening as they came from behind to beat Molde FK in the first leg of their Uefa Youth League tie.

The SSE Airtricity League U19 champions went behind early on when Leo Oestigaard gave the visitors the perfect start, but UCD scored twice in quick succession to take a slender advantage into next month’s second leg.

Two minutes before the break, Luka Lovic drew UCD 19s level before Sean McDonald struck a minute later to turn the tie on its head and give the home side a memorable win at the Belfield Bowl.

Maciej Tarnogrodzki’s side qualified for the competition by virtue of winning the U19 domestic league and are now just 90 minutes away from the second round, with the second leg taking place in Norway on 18 October.

“It’s a great result for the club and the team who did really well to get the win in the end,” Tarnogrodzki said.

“It was always going to be a difficult game but we showed a great determination to come from behind and get the win. We defended really well in the second-half and we’ll take the lead into the second leg now.

“We’ll watch the game back and see what we can improve for the second leg and hopefully we can make it through to the second round.”

UCD AFC: Kearns, Farrell, Dignall, Manley, Boore, Lovic, Quinn (Hannigan 90), O’Reilly (captain), McDonald (O’Keane 89), Crowley (Ryan 74), Farrugia.

Subs: Prenter (GK), Byrne, Rowe, Meaney.

Molde FK: Byttingsvik (GK), Mordal, Breivik, Oestigaard (C), Svendsen, Gussiås (Langset 79), Dahl (Hestad 74), Moe, Hagbø, Svendsen, Markovic.

Subs: Raestad (GK), Wenaas, Jenset, Ranheim.

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