UCD concluded their season when coming from 2-0 down to claim a point in an ultimately meaningless game in Belfield Park on Friday night. However, Waterford's win over Drogheda means that the Students finish the season in ninth place overall.
Despite indications to the contrary, Shamrock Rovers fielded a full-strength team, while UCD boss Pete Mahon resisted the temptation to give some of his U-21s a run-out in the starting line-up. However, it was Rovers who started much the stronger, and they were ahead after 13 minutes, when Marc Kenny fed Cathal O'Connor, who finshed from a narrow angle.
Ten minutes later, it was 2-0. O'Connor again was the scorer, although his shot ultimately looked to come off the post and go in off Darren Quigley.
That finally got UCD into gear, and on 36 minutes, Pat McWalter had pulled a goal back. Barry Murphy in the Rovers goal misjudged a cross, and Pat McWalter was able to loop home a header to the empty net for his ninth goal of the season.
UCD were the better team for much of the rest of the match and Barry Murphy had to be alert to save from Gary Dicker as the Students went in search of the equaliser. It ultimately came with just three minutes to go - substitutes Willie Doyle and Ronan Finn combining well for the latter to drill home from the edge of the area for his first senior goal in just his second substitute appearance.
UCD - Quigley; Mahon, O'Donnell (Long 25), Kenna, Shortall; McDonnell, Gannon (Finn 67), Dicker, McWalter; Dupuy (W Doyle 70), Martin. Subs not used - Harte, Gallagher
Att - c 650
