Report: UCD 1 - 1 Bohemians

Two goals within the space of two minutes settled the outcome of this Dublin derby. After creating by far the better chances Bohemians found themselves a goal down when Pat McWalter headed past Brian Murphy with just fifteen minutes remaining. Almost straight from the restart the Dalymount club were given the chance to equalise when Glen Crowe took a tumble in the box and referee Richie Winter pointed to the spot. Killian Brennan converted from twelve yards and both sides had to be content with a point.

Pete Mahon and Pat Fenlon made just one change to their respective starting line ups. Alan McNally returned for the students after missing the St Pat's and Cobh games. For visitors Bohs, Jason Byrne made way for Neale Fenn.

Starting just his second game of the season Fenn quickly looked to impress and hit the woodwork with a header as early as the seventh minute. His strike partner Glen Crowe set him up a minute later but the ex-Cork man saw his shot fly harmlessly over Matt Gregg's crossbar.

UCD lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, however right winger Pat McWalter spent the game pushing on and at times their set up more resembled a 4-3-3. McNally had their first chance of the game when he met a Derek Doyle corner at the back post, however he wasn't able to direct his header on target.

Fenn was doing what he does best and was having no difficultly finding lots of room when he dropped off short towards midfield. On one such occasion he clipped a perfectly weighted pass to full back Owen Heary on the right wing. Heary volleyed a cross into the box and Gregg had to be both brave and alert to collect low down.

A few minutes after that Fenn again came close to opening the scoring. Glen Cronin and Brennan took a short corner and Ken Oman was first at the front post to flick the ball on. Fenn was loitering in the six yard box but wasn't able to get the necessary power on his effort and Gregg made a fine save to his right hand side.

Bohs' best move of the half came just after the half hour mark when JP Kelly picked up possession in his own half. A quick burst of pace got Kelly away from the UCD midfield and after playing a neat one-two with Fenn, was up-ended just short of the edge of the box. Referee Winter took out his yellow card and seemed to brandish it to the wrong player - putting Conor Kenna's name in the book as opposed to Brian Shortall's. Brennan was in charge of the free kick but his left footed curler didn't clear the wall.

In the following five minutes Bohs really should have taken the lead - on three occasions they worked good openings. First, Kelly hooked his volley high and wide from inside the box after he got on the end of a Crowe flick on. Crowe was in the thick of things again when his header found Fenn, but Gregg was again on hand, saving his left footed shot from ten yards. Fenn then turned provider, but Gregg again kept his side in the game when he saved well from Crowe.

Neither manager made any personnel changes at the break however the UCD midfield were notably paying Kelly closer attention. Gregg continued his inspired performance between the posts. He turned a close range Fenn volley around the post and then twice denied Brennan when the left winger turned to trying his luck from distance.

UCD were creating a few chances of their own and weren't afraid to attack and push men forward when the time was right. McWalter headed a deep Ronan Finn cross back across the face of goal but Oman was first to the ball and cleared the danger. Shortly after that Doyle received the ball in the box after good work from Paul Byrne, but his attempted shot was blocked well.

With just fifteen minutes left on the clock the game sprang to life. McNally threaded a ball through for Brian King to run on to and Brian Murphy had to be at his best to get a hand to the former Kilkenny midfielder's shot. From the resulting corner, a scramble in the box saw Kenna's effort from three yards blocked, before Doyle sent the ball back into the danger zone. McWalter rose unmarked at the far post to head into the net.

The game had just resumed when Crowe picked up possession on the left hand side of the UCD penalty area. Alan Mahon went to challenge and Crowe fell to the ground. Winter quickly pointed to the spot without hesitancy - however Crowe admitted after the game that he hadn't been fouled. Gregg was cautioned for protesting too much and after Brennan had levelled matters from the spot, UCD manager Mahon was sent off.

The point keeps Bohs in touch at the top, however Pat's can go six points clear with a win on Sunday. A draw against the side that manager Mahon has tipped for the title isn't a bad result for the students and one which he admitted afterwards he would have settled for before the game.

UCD: Matt Gregg; Alan Mahon, Conor Kenna, Brian Shortall, Ian Birmingham; Alan McNally, Ronan Finn (John Reilly 72), Brian King, Pat McWalter; Paul Byrne (Timmy Purcell 86), Derek Doyle.
Subs not used: Billy Brennan, Evan McMillan, Greg Bolger.

Bohemians: Brian Murphy; Owen Heary, Liam Burns, Ken Oman, Conor Powell; Mark Rossiter (Harpal Singh 63), John Paul Kelly (Stephen O'Donnell 79), Glenn Cronin, Killian Brennan; Glen Crowe (Jason Byrne 79), Neale Fenn.
Subs not used: Chris Konopka, Jason McGuinness.

Referee: Richie Winter.

Attendance: 1,005