UCD 3 Bray Wanderers 2

[Aberdonian Stu]

First of Tony is not that good at winning headers, that's why the experiment with him at centre back a few years back was ended. For a tall bloke he's got great footwork although I still haven't been overly impressed this season.

As for Pat, yes he did well scoring the too goals the other night but we are still talking about a first division striker and certainly not a Premier division winger. Defending on the night was woeful and it showed.

While Whitmarsh was useful against a disinterested (albeit near full strength0 rovers the sheer inability to match a side playing at Bray's pace (even with defending that bad) showed him up big time.

[Poor Student]

I don't know. I think I am with Colie on Tony Mac. I've seen people here before say he doesn't win much headers but he seems to be winning them any time I am there. I think the difference was telling when he was in centre back this season, not because the defending was poor but because his absence was sorely missed in midfield. He seems to break down the opposition attack and intercepts balls. He doesn't seem to be the greatest at driving the attack forward but I reckon he needs a partner who will run beyond the forwards to link up midfield and attack.

[pineapple stu]

He seems to break down the opposition attack and intercepts balls. He doesn't seem to be the greatest at driving the attack forward but I reckon he needs a partner who will run beyond the forwards to link up midfield and attack.

Think that's not far off alright. He seems to get in a lot of tackles and breaks play up and can run with the ball when he wants! We need an attacking mid alongside him though - someone like Seán Finn...

Think Whitmarsh is still getting up to match fitness - playing with Belgrove, he'd presumably be out of season before being signed last week (the U-21s game against Garda was his debut). Seem to remember Derek Swan being the exact same! Would give him some time yet.

The point on Paul Byrne is true as well though - he wins a ridiculous amount of headers when he's up front!

[Poor Student]

I know this might sound blasphemous as he sounds like a cult figure but who was Derek Swan? Keep in mind I am only a recent proper supporter.

[Bald Student]

who was Derek Swan?

The oldest man since sliced bread. He came out of retirement a while back to play a season or two with UCD.

We even had special hats comissioned for the occasion.

[CollegeTillIDie]

The oldest man since sliced bread. He came out of retirement a while back to play a season or two with UCD.

We even had special hats comissioned for the occasion.

Derek Swan began his eircom league career with Home Farm in the mid 1980's and moved to Bohemians. He became a bit of a hero at Dalymount ending up top scorer for the club a number of times. Port Vale pounced to sign him and he spent a season or two over there. Came home and was signed by Shamrock Rovers for a while. A brief spell North of the border with Newry (I think this is all from memory folks) followed and then he rejoined Bohs. He then retired.

Martin Moran coaxed him out of retirement towards the end of 2000 and he got 5 League goals for us in his brief spell at Belfield before retiring for Good at the end of the 2000/2001 Season. He returned to his dayjob in behind the scenes technical type stuff for RTE.
During his brief time at Belfield he became a firm favourite.. a UCD striker who scores consistently.... and earned his own chant !


Ninho there's only Swan-inho there's only Swan-inho there's only Swan-inho

[pineapple stu]

he got 5 League goals...a UCD striker who scores consistently....

Don't think those two quite go together! He scored seven goals in 22 games all told (including one in the League Cup and one in the FAI Cup). As goals per game rates go, it's actually one of the best in a UCD jersey - per my stats (which have gaps in them before 1998 admittedly) only behind Paul Whitmarsh, Paul Byrne and Willie, Robbie and Derek Doyle. You may note that three of them have hardly played for us at all, of course...!

[pineapple stu]

Incidentally, for a photo, go to the old UCD Supporters' website. He's somewhere in the first photo...