League Report: Shelbourne 1 - 1 UCD

Any lingering hopes that UCD had of claiming promotion to the Premier Division are all but extinguished after this entertaining 1-1 draw between fifth and to third in the SSE Airtricity League First Division at Tolka Park.

UCD could have gone temporarily ahead of Cobh Ramblers into second place on goal difference with a win but were denied by a hardworking Shelbourne eleven.

The visitors opened well and were on top in the early stages. Simon Power was making considerable progress down UCD’s right.

A superb run by Power could have given the Students the lead inside four minutes. The pacy winger cut inside but couldn’t keep his left foot shot down.

Jason McLelland cut in from the left in the eighth minute but his well struck shot missed the far post and rolled wide.

The experienced David O’Leary lost possession a couple of times early and his frustration led to a 16^th minute yellow card.

The Corkman recovered his composure to force Niall Corbet into a save from his header.

Midway through the half, the former Cork City player David O’Leary set Adam Evans away down the left wing. Evans crossed low into the box. Chris Lyons capitalised on hesitancy in the UCD defence to stab the ball over the line from point blank range.

Shels pressing game dominated from there until half time. UCD weaved some pretty patterns but couldn’t find a way through.

On 61 minutes, however, a deft back header by striker Georgie Kelly from Cian Kavanagh’s well-judged lob into the penalty area just evaded Dean Delany’s attempt to save and the Students were level.

Shels still have only two wins all season at home and will probably feel they could and should have taken all three points here.  Sub James English set-up Adams late on but the No. 7 couldn’t force the ball home.

English himself was foiled by a brilliant block from Liam Scales. However, Kelly was also through one on one with Delany but the Shels keeper got down well to save at the expense of a corner.

The home side probably shaded the possession stakes and had the better of the chances but UCD, well marshalled by influential skipper Greg Sloggett held out for a battling away point.

Shelbourne: Dean Delany; James Brown, Derek Prendergast, Aidan Collins (James O’Brien, 89), Reece McEnteer; Adam Evans, Niall Lanigan, David O’Leary (Dayle Rooney, 58), Alan Byrne, Jamie Doyle; Chris Lyons (James English, 67).

Subs not used: Jamie Quinn (GK), Sean Byrne, Dylan Kavanagh, Aaron Ashe.

Booked: David O’Leary, Niall Lanigan, Alan Byrne.

UCD: Niall Corbet; Dan Tobin, Maxim Kouogun, Liam Scales, Evan Osam; Simon Power (Rob Manley, 44), Greg Sloggett, Cian Kavanagh (Josh Collins, 79), Timmy Molloy, Jason McClelland; Georgie Kelly.

Subs Not Used: Conor Kearns (GK), Sean Coyne, Sean Byrne, Conor Crowley, Ben Hanrahan.

Booked: Georgie Kelly, Timmy Molloy.

Referee: David Keeler

Attendance: 410 (official).

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Chris Lyons (Shelbourne)