UCD 2 - 0 Shamrock Rovers

UCD finally ended the wait for a league win, triumphing two nil over a dominant Shamrock Rovers at the UCD bowl on Friday night. Hugh Douglas and Sean Russell netted for College to leave Shamrock Rovers boss Trevor Croly devastated at the final whistle.

It was a superb start for the Hoops, Karl Sheppard headed inches over from a Gary McCabe free-kick on three minutes. Rovers continued to dominate, with fifteen minutes on the clock some neat work by Gary McCabe teed up Shane Robinson but he volleyed over. Eight minutes later and McCabe's free-kick was blocked by Tomas Boyle. From the subsequent corner Craig Walsh cleared.

UCD really failed to create anything in the opening half hour and McCabe almost made them pay, his curling shot skimmed the UCD post but it was always swerving away from goal. Billy Dennehy then shot wide with the goal at his mercy as the Students struggled to hold on for the break.

With the half-time oranges looming UCD finally found an opening, but Gary Burke shot straight at Barry Murphy from close range. A mix-up between McGinley and O'Connor minutes later handed the ball on a plate for Sheppard but the UCD keeper recovered to save from the Rovers midfielder.

UCD began the second-half the brighter of the sides, Burke set the tone with a mazy run only to be stopped by a last ditch tackle from David Elebert. The hoops then forced substitute goalkeeper Ger Barron into a save. Shane Robinson headed towards goal from Sheppard's cross. Dennehy then shot straight at the keeper moments later as the visitors continued to search for the opening goal.

Craig Walsh did a superb job on Ronan Finn, the ex-student failed to have any impact on the game. On 56 minutes a superb cross from Sheppard found McCabe but his audacious overhead kick clipped the bar on the way over.

UCD switched to a back three with an hour gone but the men from Tallaght continued to assert their dominance. Stephen Rice headed wide from the six-yard line before Robinson headed straight at Barron with the goal at his mercy.

On 75 minutes, the impossible happened. A Sean Russell free-kick was headed home by Hugh Douglas to put the students in front. Rovers almost responded on 79 minutes, a James Chambers free-kick forced Ger Barron into an emphatic save as the ball seemed destined for the bottom corner.

Shamrock Rovers continued to pepper the UCD goal but it stood strong. Dave McMillan was very impressive at holding the ball up to frustrate the Hoops. With seconds left on the clock, a break away from UCD ended with Sean Russell slotting past Murphy to end the Students’ faithful wait for a win.

UCD: Mark McGinley (Ger Barron 46); Hugh Douglas, David O'Connor, Tomas Boyle, Mark Langtry; Gary Burke (Dean Clarke 56), Robbie Creevy (James Kavanagh 68), Craig Walsh, Robbie Benson, Sean Russell; David McMillan.
Subs not Used: Barry McCabe, Cillian Morrison, Gareth Matthews, Dinny Corcoran.

Booked: Burke (12), Walsh (23), D O'Connor (43), Creevy (63).



Shamrock Rovers: Barry Murphy; Stephen Rice, Derek Foran (Conor McCormack 46), David Elebert, Danny Ledwith; Gary McCabe, James Chambers, Shane Robinson (Ciaran Kilduff 77), Ronan Finn, Billy Dennehy; Karl Sheppard.
Subs not Used: Richard Brush, Alan Kehoe, Thomas Stewart, Sean O'Connor, Nathan Brown.

Booked: McCormack (72), Chambers (74).



Referee: Rob Rodgers.

Attendance: 993

Extratime.ie man of the match: Craig Walsh (UCD).