UCD 0-0 Shamrock Rovers

[DmanDmythDledge]

First game of the season!! I reckon the starting line up will the same as Wexford, except with Finn starting ahead of King. Should be a win for us, especially that Rovers have a few players missing. 1-0 to us with Sammo to score.

[pineapple stu]

Thank God - 16 weeks over!

I'd agree with the line up, which looks decent. I'd agree with the result, but I'm not putting any money on it!

[dfx-]

Another 18 hours to go Not that I'm counting or anything...

Rovers have a few players missing?

[pineapple stu]

No-one suspended anyway. We're missing Paul Crowley, but he may be injured in any event.

18 3/4 hours...

[dfx-]

Ger O'Brien is out and Purcell upfront, but should be still a strong enough side as far as I was aware. Should be a good, tight opening test.

[DmanDmythDledge]

I'd agree with the result, but I'm not putting any money on it!

I am.

Ger O'Brien is out and Purcell upfront, but should be still a strong enough side as far as I was aware. Should be a good, tight opening test.

Shiels and McGill as well.

[DvB]

I am.

Shiels and McGill as well.

Both would have been unlikely to start anyway though!

Can't believe i'm gonna say this, I'm actually really looking forward to a game in Belfield!!

Koh

[Poor Student]

I think it'll be tight. Have a nasty feeling Rovers will shade it.

[WeAreRovers]

I think it'll be tight. Have a nasty feeling Rovers will shade it.

Too hard to call IMO. Put it this way, I reckon that if we finish one place above UCD we'll have had a good season.

KOH

[pineapple stu]

UCD and Shamrock Rovers opened their 2007 campaign with a rather tame goalless draw in front of a large crowd at Belfield Park tonight. With defences largely on top, clear cut chances were hard to come by, although both sides did hit the woodwork in their quest for victory.

As expected, UCD started with the same team which had brushed aside Wexford Youths in the final friendly last week, with the adjustment to recall Ronan Finn on his return from international duty.

Rovers started the stronger, and could have taken the lead early on only for a fine stop from Darren Quigley on the edge of his area. The Ireland B international was beaten all ends up midway through the opening period, however, when Ger Rowe's superb curling effort cannoned off the bar, and although Shaun Maher was on hand to tap home the rebound, he was adjudged to have been offside.

Conor Sammon went closest for UCD in the first half, when he received the ball from Conan Byrne on the right; with his back to goal, he turned and sent in a low shot which Barry Murphy in the Rovers goal did well to parry, and the Rovers defence was on hand to knock the ball out for a corner with Paul Byrne lurking to score.

There was a blow for the home side on the stroke of half-time when Tony McDonnell was taken off with a second black eye in as many weeks; Killian Gallagher was brought on for his debut.

UCD improved in the second half and almost took a sensational lead when Alan Mahon - yet to find the net in 203 league appearances for the Students - curled a 30-yard free kick inches wide. The Students upped the ante for good periods of the second half, with Derek Doyle and Gallagher particularly instrumental up front, while Conor Kenna and Darren Quigley in particular were immense in defence as they mopped up everything Rovers could throw at them.

With a quarter of an hour remaining, a corner from Conan Byrne was headed goalwards and deflected onto the bar by Rovers keeper Murphy; Ronan Finn's volley from the rebound was also blocked away to safety.

A steady start, so, against a side who will have hopes of a top half finish this season. There will be no lack of motivation for next week's clash away to Drogheda United, however, with UCD's tough start to the season continuing the following week with a home tie against Cork City.

UCD - Quigley; Mahon, Kenna, McNally, McDonnell (Gallagher 44); McFaul, C Byrne, Finn, Doyle (King 86); Sammon, P Byrne (Purcell 75). Subs not used - McMillan, Gregg

Att - c 1600

[Sniffer]

Who is Gallagher??

[DmanDmythDledge]

Who is Gallagher??

Killian Gallagher, left back.

[Sniffer]

Thanks; hadn't heard of him, where did he come from?

[DmanDmythDledge]

Thanks; hadn't heard of him, where did he come from?

Not sure but he was with the U-21s last year.

[Poor Student]

Who is Gallagher??

He was impressive by all accounts. Certainly for a full back (assuming that's what he actually is) he's got a good offensive game.

Fair play to the Rovers fans, it was a great turnout even if it was a slightly special occasion.