UCD 0-2 Shamrock Rovers
SHAMROCK ROVERS PUT themselves back in contention for the title race by picking up a 2-0 win away to UCD thanks to goals from Ronan Finn and Dean Kelly. Two first half goals from the pair was the difference in an important win away from home for the Hoops.
A professional win from Rovers leaves them five points a drift of league leaders Dundalk with UCD not providing a lot of attacking threat to put this result in any doubt.
Rovers made four changes to the side that lost to Cork City before the mid season break with the returning Conor Kenna providing stability to a defence which had leaked 2 goals to Cork last time out.
That stability was tested early on when, after three minutes, lively UCD full back Hughie Douglas saw his header saved smartly by Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper, Barry Murphy. A dangerous free kick found Douglas all on his own but Murphy composed himself enough to catch it. That move proved to be a dud as Rovers took over and controlled possession in every part of this game.
Kelly almost broke the deadlock after sixteen minutes when his free kick left UCD goalkeeper, Conor O’Donnell, flat footed but did not have enough direction behind it to score.
UCD found it difficult to gain any foothold in the game but found a rare chance after twenty minutes when Douglas got behind Rob Cornwall to lay a pass on for Robbie Benson but the UCD captain could not adjust himself quick enough to get a shot off.
The pressure from Rovers told on the twenty sixth minute when Finn scored. Great play from Robert Bayly allowed him to find Simon Madden on the right wing where the quick thinking full back found Finn in the six yard box with all the time in the world to score.
Centre midfielder Bayly played a part in goal number two also when a smart pass found Gary McCabe on the right hand side who whipped it onto the head of Kelly who had no choice but to score on the stroke of half time.
The second half provided some solace for the Students with more space opening up behind the Hoops defence. UCD attacker Samir Belhout broke free from the clutches of Conor Kenna on the sixty third minute but Murphy in the goals measured the situation smartly and stopped the chance.
A tired UCD team looked like they were suffering the effects of a break as they finished the game poorly with the visitors tormenting the goal non stop but ultimately Rovers had to settle with the two goals to leave them in a good place ahead of the derby with St. Patrick’s Athletic.
UCD: Conor O’Donnell; Hughie Douglas, James Kavanagh, Mark Langtry, Gareth Matthews; Robbie Benson (Burke, 72), Tomas Boyle, Robbie Creevy, Chris Mulhall (Molloy, 63), Colm Crowe; Samir Belhout.
Shamrock Rovers: Barry Murphy; Rob Cornwall, Conor Kenna, Jason McGuinness, Simon Madden; Robert Bayly (Robinson, 82), Ronan Finn,; Gary McCabe, Sean O’Connor (Sheppard, 70), Dean Kelly (Kilduff, 75); Eamon Zayed.
Airtricity League Premier Division results
UCD 0-2 Shamrock Rovers
Drogheda United 1-2 Sligo Rovers
St. Patrick’s Athletic 3-2 Bray Wanderers
Cork City 3-0 Limerick FC
Derry City 2-2 Dundalk
Bohemians 2-2 Athlone Town
Very lazy choice for coach of the year Hansens a good coach but Schmidt was magnificent
Ya your dead right! Never mind the blacks breaking the world record of any team for consecutive wins throw in southern nations championship win and where they are now…. Very lazy choice!
Subjective awards are meaningless anyway.
@phillipryan did the AB not just equal the record cause they drew 12-12 with oz when they lookin to break it?
Don’t loose too much sleep he was never going to get it
If he goes though the 6 nations and the world cup the way he has gone through the last 3 games he’ll get it next year .
Should do! His all round performances have been superb and and his place kicking has improved quite a lot. If he keeps this form coming into the six nations and world cup then he is surely in with a shout.
Fancy that. A man from New Zealand named player of the year. A Cinderella story, if ever there was one.
Nothing worth getting upset over.
If sexton was from the south he would of won. Irb prefer to award anyone who plays down south
He wouldn’t have been my winner! Savea or Le Roux would have gotten it off me
Never heard of him
John if you’ve never heard of Retallick you obviously don’t know or watch the fantastic game that is Rugby Union. Well deserved. Maybe watch a game or two and you might be qualified to comment then champ.
It may be a long shot, but if Murray keeps up his form, I’d stick a few quid on him for next year.
If an ape coached NZ they’d still win, and the ape would get coach of the year. Although that’s more or less what’s currently happening. They’re about to be toppled in the next year, far to many close games and a shambles at fly half to maintain their supremacy going forward.
No disrespect to apes meant by the way, I just don’t think they’re coaching material. Although I’m sure they’d make a monkey out of me.
Apparently Joe isn’t even the radar in New Zealand….. Maybe we should be thankful the sign him up to a 10 year contract.
Shame on them if they’re not considering him!
I’m not being bitter but I find it very hard that southern and northern players are put in same category cus lets be honest they hardly play each other and its very mindset in both spheres probably fair if they spit them (exulting Rwc years)
Wouldn’t say bod would have been overly impressed if he did get it!
Hard luck Johnny