UCD smarten up

Derry City 1 UCD 2

It was a deserved victory for the students, who impressed in the opening half despite having to hang on during the latter stages.

UCD’s pressure was rewarded in the 36th minute. Paul O’Connor played a precise ball through the middle and Barry McCabe timed his run to perfection before driving the ball beyond the reach of keeper Ger Doherty.

After the break, the visitors caught Derry cold when doubling their lead. On this occasion O’Connor played another sublime pass and David Millan beat the Derry offside trap to squeeze the ball home.

Derry however, battled back, and skipper Kevin Deery, marked his half-time introduction with a goal, heading home a corner from the left in the 52nd minute.

Derry could have shared the spoils in the final minute but Stewart Greacen headed wide of the target when it appeared easier to score.

DERRY CITY: Doherty; Molloy, Greacen, McEleney, McCaffrey; McDaid, Higgins (Deery, h/t), McNamee, Brolly (Duffy, 73); Morrison (Murphy, 51); Farren.

UCD: Barron; Douglas, Leahy, D. O’Connor, Nangle; Clarke (Rusk, 87), P. O’Connor, Benson (Kavanagh, 87), McCabe, Ledwith; McMillan (Mulhall, 83).

Referee: D. McKeon (Dublin).