) was worried that STIG might not contain some anti-Setanta jibes this time, so they are necessary in the match report.
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Proper report...
UCD took a point from a tricky tie against Derry City in a open match which they arguably shaded, but in which they couldn't make their possession tell. In the end, the draw was the fair result, but UCD will look - not for the first time this season - at what might have been.
UCD made two changes from the team which won in Kilkenny - Brian Shortall was back from injury, replacing Alan Cawley (Tony McDonnell moved up to centre mid) and Stephen Hurley replaced Paul Byrne as the Students went for a 4-4-1-1 formation to counter Derry's attacking threat. Derry had Peter Hutton and Pat McCourt in the team despite injury worries.
A game played in blissful sunshine was slow to take off, although the quality of play was high from both teams. UCD's best chance of the half came just past the half our, when the Derry defence had to be alert to clear off their own line three times in the one attack - first from Tony McDonnell's header, and then from two attempts from Conor Sammon; the beleagured Derry defence eventually cleared for a corner. At the other end, Darren Quigley was using the occasion to showboat somewhat - coming out of his box to feint past Derry attackers on more than one occasion.
UCD were dealt a blow shortly before half time when Alan Mahon went off with a head wound - Jimmy-Lee Matthews came on in his place.
Derry keeper David Forde nearly gifted UCD an equaliser in the second half when he flapped at Stephen Hurley's cross; Conor Sammon was unable to capitalise, however.
Derry did have a good spell midway through the half, and Darren Quigley twice had to be smartly off his line to collect through balls, with former Student Ciarn Martyn lurking.
With 20 mintes to go, Derry had their best chance - a free kick found its way across the six-yard box, and Derry should have done better than to hit the side-netting, albeint from a narrow angle. UCD went up the other end of the pitch, and after Pat McWalter was fouled on the edge of the box, he was lucky to remain on the pitch after seemingly pushing his marker in the face; both players were shown yellow cards by referee Paul Tuite.
UCD finished the stronger, however, and again the Derry goal was fortunate to escape from a scramble; again, man-of-the-match Conor Sammon was heavily involved.
The last chance of the match also fell to UCD - substitute Ronan Finn volleying over from the edge of the box after a corner was half-cleared.
Overall, a satisfactory way to bounce back from the Dublin City defeat and a result wihch will have UCD in good spirits heading into the mid-season break; certainly, it was the Students' best performance of the season in terms of style of play. A trip to high-flying St Pat's is next after the break, with UCD hoping to gain further ground on Bohs and Dublin City immediately above them.
UCD - Quigley; Mahon (Matthews 37), Kenna, Shortall, McNally; McDonnell, Hurley (Finn 85), Dicker, Ryan (Cawley 70); McWalter, Sammon. Subs not used - Hussey, P Byrne
Att - 426
Originally Posted by Maribor
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