- Gareth O'Reilly
- Fri, Jun 27 2014
Shamrock Rovers recorded a well deserved two goal victory over UCD in the Belfield Bowl on Friday night. It was a win that meant that neither The Students nor The Hoops would move from their pre-game positions of 11th and 4th respectively.
The opening chance of the game presented itself to the home side as a Chris Mulhall free kick was headed straight at Barry Murphy by centre back Hugh Douglas.
Rovers enjoyed the better of the possession in the opening phases and Gary McCabe had his sides first shot as he curled an effort marginally wide of the UCD goal frame.
Rovers went close to scoring the game’s opening goal not long after that chance as Dean Kelly struck a beautifully placed free kick which had Conor O'Donnell beaten but also managed to beat the far post.
The game's opening goal of the game did arrive just short of the half hour mark when Simon Madden took a great touch from a Bayly through ball. Madden then laid the ball back to the unmarked Finn who slotted home at the first attempt.
Just before half time Rovers threatened to double their lead as Gary McCabe saw his shot from the right hand side of the box skim the UCD post.
The second goal did come for the Hoops on the brink of half time as Dean Kelly headed in a Gary McCabe cross as the UCD defenders appeared to switch off at a vital moment in the contest.
Just over ten minutes into the second period and it was Simon Madden who once again helped to create a good chance for Rovers. Madden attempted to penalise some poor Mark Lantry play by sliding the ball across the edge of the box to Ronan Finn. However the former UCD man could only blaze the ball high and wide of the target.
Samir Belhout had a good chance to get UCD back into the game as he broke into the box at speed but could only direct his shot at Barry Murphy, who saved well.
Rovers continued to create countless chances but even the introduction of Kilduff failed to reignite the goal scoring form of Trevor Croly's side.
Rovers would however have a number of late chances that on another night would have been smashed in by their goal hungry strikers.
In added time there was time for one last UCD chance as a free kick found new signing Timmy Molloy, although the attacking midfielder snatched at his chance allowing Rovers to clear the ball to safety.
UCD: Conor O'Donnell; Hugh Douglas, James Kavanagh, Thomas Boyle, Gareth Matthews; Chris Mulhall (Timmy Molloy 64), Colm Crowe, Robbie Creevy, Robbie Benson (Gary Burke 72), Mark Langtry; Samir Belhout.
Subs Not Used: Niall Corbet, Barry McCabe, Dwayne Wilson, Michael Scott, Ian Ryan.
Booked: None
Shamrock Rovers: Barry Murphy; Robert Cornwall, Conor Kenna, Jason McGuinness, Simon Madden; Dean Kelly (Ciaran Kilduff 75), Robert Bayly (Shane Robinson 83), Ronan Finn, Gary McCabe, Sean O'Connor (Karl Sheppard 70); Eamon Zayed.
Subs Not Used: Ryan Brennan, Craig Hyland, Stephen McPhail, David O'Connor.
Booked: Sean O'Connor (40), Robert Bayly (56), Robert Cornwall (90).
Referee: Paul Tuite
Attendance: 635
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Simon Madden (Shamrock Rovers)
