Shelbourne 1 - 2 UCD

UCD picked up three vital points and earned their first away victory of the season as they defeated Shelbourne 2-1 in a closely fought encounter at Tolka Park on Friday evening. Paul Corry’s superb late strike handed Martin Russell’s side a deserved win after Philly Hughes had cancelled out Dave McMillan’s first half effort.

UCD have been extremely unlucky in recent weeks not to pick up points which their performances have merited but it was the Shelbourne fans who went home disappointed as their side suffered another home defeat.

The opening exchanges were nervy as both sides settled into the game but it was the home side who had the first sight of goal when Conan Byrne’s effort from just outside the box was tipped onto the crossbar somewhat fortunately by Mark McGinley in the College goal.

It was a half of few clear cut chances but the visitors should have taken the lead after eleven minutes when the impressive David McMillan cut it back for Dean Clarke but the striker miscued his effort from eight yards out.

Paul O’Conor was just inches away from scoring the opening goal but he couldn’t divert Clarke’s low cross after Paul Corry’s brilliant diagonal ball. Just moments later the referee was pointing to the spot as Mick Leahy was deemed to handle Paddy Kavanagh’s cross but after consulting with his assistant, Graham Kelly reversed his decision and instead awarded a free kick to the home side just outside the area.

Shels began to dominate proceedings but were left frustrated in their quest for the opening goal as Philly Hughes missed two guilt edge chances. Firstly, Sean Byrne’s sweeping ball found the striker unmarked at the back post but he couldn’t hit the target and then soon after he failed to convert following a through ball from Kavanagh.

It was against the run of play in which the visitors took the lead just before the break as the very impressive Paul Corry found Clarke on the right before the teenager squared for the advancing David McMillan to sweep home from 15 yards.

Shels came out after the break in search of an equaliser and probably should have levelled matters up but both Hughes and Kavanagh saw their efforts blocked by UCD bodies.

Despite not seeing the ball for large spells of the second period, Russell’s Students were dangerous on the break and so nearly doubled their lead but Robbie Benson’s long range effort when inches wide before Paul O’Conor’s deflected effort caused a moments panic in the Shels rear guard.

It seemed UCD were going to be made pay for not taking their chances and killing off the game when Philly Hughes like so often popped up inside the six yard box and slotted home a low cross from the left but Russell’s young charges were not to be denied a massive victory as Corry’s stunning late strike earned all three points.

Mark McGinley’s quick kick out found Clarke in acres of space down the right flank and he pulled it back perfectly for the on-rushing midfielder, who directed the ball into the top corner past the flaying Bennion.

It was no more than UCD deserved and the result leaves Martin Russell’s side just two points behind Dundalk.

Shelbourne: Chris Bennion; Brian Shortall (Glen Cronin 75), Andy Boyle, Stephen Paisley, Lorcan Fitzgerald; Conan Byrne (Sean Byrne 19), David Cassidy, Kevin Dawson, Stephen Hurley, Paddy Kavanagh (Philip Gorman 60); Philip Hughes.
Subs not used: Dean Delaney, Barry Clancy, Ian Ryan, Anto Murphy.
Bookings: Dawson (57), Shortall (66), Gorman (89).

UCD: Mark McGinley; Hugh Douglas, David O’Connor, Mick Leahy, Ciaran Nangle; Paul O’Conor, Paul Corry, James Kavanagh (Sean Russell 61), Robert Benson; Dean Clarke, Dave McMillan (Chris Lyons 75).
Subs not used: Ger Barron, Barry McCabe, Tyrone McNelis, Gary Burke, Tomas Boyle.
Bookings: Douglas (20).

Referee: Graham Kelly.
Attendance: 751
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Paul Corry (UCD).