City fortunate to take full points from lively UCD

Cork City 3

UCD played the better football for much of the game and they would have succeeded in taking at least a point but for a magnificent first-half save by goalkeeper Michael Devine from a UCD penalty. His performance and the bright play of Cork’s strike force helped to cloak the deficiencies in a Cork side that struggled in midfield and in defence. UCD have always been a bogey for Cork, and while they looked to be in danger of being overrun in the early play, they recovered splendidly to show just why they have invariably enjoyed good results on this ground. True, they benefited from a questionable second penalty decision by the referee, but they could, with some justification, suggest that Cork’s third goal was scored from an offside position.

John O’Flynn, the former Peterborough United player who was again a huge influence on Cork’s performance, ran clear from halfway onto a long clearance from David Warren as UCD’s defence stood motionless, expecting an offside whistle. O’Flynn was totally professional in his attitude as he took the ball round goalkeeper Barry Ryan to score. The goal was important because it came after 72 minutes when Cork were under increasing pressure in defence of a 2-1 lead. Its importance was underlined when Robbie Doyle converted a second penalty for UCD within two minutes and again the referee’s decision was open to question.