UCD's u-21s beat Shamrock Rovers 2-1 today in Belfield Park. Rovers took the lead midway through the first half with a shot which wen through goalkeeper Neil Gallagher's hands. Gallagher, a recent signing from Dundalk, played well overall though, making a couple of decent saves in the second half, although he looked very hesitant onthrough balls.
UCD hit back though after the braek with two goals which I didn't see because I was playing football on the hill. Mark Leech and Craig Seargeant were the scorers. Although the game was fairly open, no fourth goal arrived and Collge held on for their second win of the campaign. There were some dubious offside decisions arising from the fact that there were no linesmen!!! Tony Sheridan for us and some Shamrock Rovers coach ran the lines, but only as far as giving throw-ins.
Of the new players, John Gaffney looked the most impressive, doing well in the mid, while Niall Donnelly's distribution was surprisingly pinpoint at times! Leech and Purcell did well up front, especially in the second half, but have many rough edges yet. Shamrock Rovers fielded Garry Haylock and that Moroccan international.
The result was a huge improvement on the 5-0 defeat by Rovers earlier in the season, but still leaves us 10 points off second place and the quarters with seven games to go.
Incidentally, the team was managed by Diarmuid McNally, which seems to confirm that Tommy Dunne has left the club.
UCD -
----------------------Gallagher-------------------
--R Punter---Donnelly---Savage---O'Donnell
---Colfer------Gaffney----R Punter--Davey---
-----------------Leech-----Purcell----------------
Subs - Oisín somebody for O'Donnell (half-time)
Rooney for Purcell (85 mins)
