Late Morrison strike enough for UCD to claim the spoils

CILLIAN MORRISON struck late to give UCD a victory they just about deserved against Mick Cooke’s new charges at Hunky Dory’s Park.

Drogheda defended doggedly over the 90 minutes but lacked a cutting edge up front, while College kept the debut keeper David Quirke busy throughout.

With so many new players in their line-ups, both sides were slow to adapt on the slippery surface and there was little pattern to the play in the opening quarter.

The only clear chance of note fell to the visitors after seven minutes when Dean Marshall released striker Cillian Morrison whose shot was saved by keeper David Quirke.

But former Drogheda defender Yael Haro nearly made something out of nothing in the 17th minute when he broke forward from the centre circle and drilled a low 35-yard shot narrowly wide.

UCD goalie Gerard Barron remained untroubled until the half-hour when Haro was robbed by Dinny Corcoran and the former Sporting Fingal striker sent a 25-yard effort whistling past the post.

Action quickly swung to the other end where Quirke enjoyed a slice of luck as he fumbled a Gerard O’Callaghan cross onto his own crossbar before gathering at the second attempt.

And the former Monaghan keeper was called into action again on 39 minutes, diving to his left to push Graham Rusk’s shot round the post.

UCD continued their ascendancy after the restart but struggled to break down a well-organised Drogheda defence and their only shot at goal was a weak Morrison shot gathered easily by Quirke.

Substitute Darragh Hanaphy then made an immediate impression for the Drogs, although his finish failed to trouble Barron after a neat exchange with David Freeman.

The game then deteriorated as both teams cancelled each other out, but the visitors won it in the 80th minute when Ciaran Nangle’s deep cross was bundled over the line by Morrison.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Quirke; Gannon, McNally, Whelan, Quigley; Freeman, M O’Brien, Lester, McCrossan, Hand (Skelly 79); Corcoran (Hanaphy 58).

UCD: Barron; Harding, Leahy, Haro, Nangle; Marshall (Meenan 66), Corry, Creevy, O’Callaghan (O’Conor 66); Rusk, Morrison.

Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).