Corry delivers late drama

Paul Corry scored his first goal of the season to give UCD a classic counter-attacking win at Tolka Park last night.

Philly Hughes, rediscovering his goal touch, looked to have earned Shelbourne a draw from a match they dominated.

Not having scored in his previous five games, top scorer Hughes tapped home his eighth of the season from captain David Cassidy’s cross on 82 minutes.

But, as they did for their first-half lead, UCD won it with a stunning goal on the break in the 87th minute.

College keeper Mark McGinley made two saves before the ball was swept down the other end. It was only partially cleared to sought-after midfielder Corry, who curled home a delightful left-foot shot.

In an open game between two sides not afraid to pass the ball, Shelbourne’s Kevin Dawson shot wide before Conan Byrne took Stephen Hurley’s ball in his stride, cut inside and hit a left-foot shot that McGinley, hampered by the evening sun, touched onto the bar and out for a corner.

Despite having little of the ball, UCD, without a win since beating league leaders Sligo Rovers back in May, played when they had it and wasted a gilt-edged opening on 13 minutes.

David McMillan’s cross found Dean Clarke unmarked in the area but the striker scuffed his shot and the danger was cleared.

Shelbourne thought they had won a penalty on 24 minutes when referee Graham Kelly initially pointed to the spot for a handball by UCD skipper Mick Leahy. But, on the word of an assistant, a free-kick outside the box was given instead, with Andy Boyle heading over from early substitute Sean Byrne’s cross.

Shelbourne continued to virtually own the ball, but bad luck and poor finishing combined to keep them out, epitomised by Hughes wasting three openings inside seven minutes.

Hughes first had a poor connection on an attempted lob when in a one-on-one with McGinley. Played in by Byrne’s superb cross, Hughes then blazed over the top before hitting a post with a free-kick on 39 minutes.

Two minutes later the perfect counter-attack had UCD in front. Corry put Dean Clarke free on the right and his low cross was blasted to the top corner of the net from McMillan’s shot on the turn.

SHELBOURNE: Bennion; Shortall (Cronin 75), Boyle, Paisley, Fitzgerald; Dawson, Hurley; C Byrne (S Byrne 21), Cassidy, Kavanagh (Gorman 61); Hughes.

UCD: McGinley; Douglas, Leahy, O’Connor, Nangle; O’Conor, Kavanagh (Russell 61), Corry; Clarke, McMillan (Lyons 75), Benson.

Referee: Graham Kelly (Cork).