REPORT: UCD 2 - 3 Derry City

A late Peter Hutton header gave visitors Derry the three points, however Stephen Kenny's men will have to a lot better in the coming months if they are to have any hope of challenging for honours. After coming back from two goals down UCD went on to dominate possession and were unlucky to start their season off with a defeat - they deserved in the very least a draw

Both sides lined up pretty much as expected. Ian Bermingham started at left back despite the fact that he missed practically all of UCDs pre season campaign. Ronan Finn and Alan McNally were the central midfield pairing. Pete Mahon was seemingly worried about the threat that Pat McCourt could cause and decided to go with tough tackling Brian King on the right hand side. Close season signings from UCD Darren Quigley and Conor Sammon started for the Candystripes. RuairiHiggins got the nod ahead of another UCD old boy Ciaran Martyn as Barry Molloys partner in the centre of the field, while Mark Farren was preferred to Kevin Mchugh in attack.

Derry started the brighter of the two sides and as early as the seventh minute McCourt showed just how dangerous he can be when on form. McCourt made space on the left and found Farren with a neat cross, The Donegal mans effort cleared Matt Greggs crossbar but it was an early warning sign of things to come. UCD were to then get their first worthwhile attack of the game. Conor Kenna won the ball in defence and carried it over the half way line before picking out striker Timmy Purcell wide on the right. Purcell teased and tempted Eddie McCallion before getting to the byline and whipping in what looked at first like a dangerous centre. Quigley in the Derry goal however was alert and cut of the cross before it reached any of the in rushing UCD attackers.

Inspired by how easy they had got in behind the Derry back four, UCD started to play the ball around and were shortly once again putting Derry under pressure. On the quarter hour mark Finn neatly shifted the ball on to his stronger foot and tried his luck from all of twenty five yards. His well hit shot seemed to swerve at the last minute and Quigley needed two bites of the cherry before he had the ball safely in his hands.

Two minutes before taking the lead Derrys appeal for a free kick just outside the box were turned down after Brian Shorthall appeared to use a hand. Conor Sammon and Paddy McCourt were to then briefly swap positions. When a UCD attack broke down McCourt found himself in a central position with his back to goal and room to turn. He ran at the UCD defence and in the exact spot where Shorthall handled only minutes previously, Kenna conceded a free kick after McCourt had pushed the ball past him. Up stepped Higgins and from twenty three yards he opened the scoring with a curling yet powerful free kick.

With their noises ahead Derry seemed to instantly look high on confidence and self belief. Just minutes after the restart McCourt played in full back Stephen Gray and his guilt edged cross was helped home by Farren from six yards. UCD were somewhat shell shocked as Derry looked irresistible whenever they were afforded time on the ball in the final third. Midway through the first period Birmingham was called upon to clear a powerful Clive Delaney header of the line.

Two goals down, UCD worked hard to rob possession after that and when a Derry move broke down because of sheer persistence UCD quickly turned defence into attack. Quick feet and clever thinking allowed Purcell find King in the most advanced position he had so far taken up. King crossed early into the box and Paul Byrne looped a header up and over Quigley and into the far top corner. Minutes after that the Students may well have had a penalty but referee Marc Gough waived away claims that McCallion had used a hand. By the time the half time whistle sounded it was UCD who were on top - but they will still a goal down.

UCD started the second period as they had ended the first - on top and taking the game to the visitors. Six minutes in, UCD won a corner on their right hand side. Kenna retrieved the half cleared corner before hitting a powerful shot from just outside the box. Before it was to reach the net it took a sizable deflection off a surprised Byrne in the penalty area.

Back on level terms UCD seemed to initially loose some of their impetus and urgency. Almost immediately Farren saw another effort sail to safety without threatening Gregg. With almost three quarters of the game passed UCD were close to taking a deserved lead. Purcell and Byrne chased a long hopeful ball that Delaney should have dealt with his head. The ex UCD player however let the ball bounce and immediately Purcell was snapping at his heels. The ball first found its way to Byrne but he too was unable to take it under his control. Finn, backing the attack up as he done so well all night, latched on to the loose ball and smacked a shot that only curled off target at the last second.

UCD continued to boss the game and at this stage looked like the side most likely to go on and win all three points. Byrne made space for himself in the area but from a tight angle his powerful shot only found the side netting at the near post. Purcell again almost made all the difference when with just fifteen minutes remaining he forced Quigley into a five save down low to his left.

With just ten minutes remaining Kenny tried to change things a bit and brought on Martyn and and McHugh. They too struggled to impose themselves and UCD made sure they and the other Derry team members had little time on the ball. Derry's breakthrough came with just under three minutes remaining on the clock. Alan Mahon committed a foul on Derry's left and the outswinging Higgins free kick was met by Peter Hutton to give Derry an undeserved lead.

The game ended that way with Derry winning by the odd goal in five. Stephen Kenny shall no doubt be over the moon with the three points - especially when he considers that UCD dominated for extended periods of play, particularly in the second half. Pete Mahon wont be happy, but when he calms down he will know that if UCD can consistently perform to that level then they shouldnt have any problems avoiding the drop.

UCD: Matt Gregg; Alan Mahon, Conor Kenna, Brian Shortall, Ian Bermingham; Ronan Finn, Brian King, Alan McNally, Patrick McWalter; Timmy Purcell (Darren Forsythe 72), Paul Byrne.
Subs not used: Billy Brennan, Killian Gallagher, Evan McMillan, Shane Fitzgerald.

Bookings: Mahon.

Derry City: Darren Quigley; Eddie McCallion, Clive Delaney, Peter Hutton, Steven Gray; Gareth McGlynn (Owen Morrisson 67), Ruaidhri Higgins, Barry Molloy (Ciaran Martyn 75), Paddy McCourt; Conor Sammon, Mark Farren (Kevin McHugh 78).
Subs not used: Ger Doherty, Niall McGinn.

Bookings: McCourt, McGlynn.

Referee: Mark Gough (Limerick).

Attendance: 622