UCD 1 (Cawley 28) Derry City 1 (Coyle 32)
UCD took the lead against the run of play when midfielder Alan Cawley,
returning to the Belfield side following a one-match suspension, saw his
twenty-five yard free kick flick off the edge of the Derry wall and loop
past the wrong-footed David Forde. Striker Robbie Martin had been taken
down for the infringement.
Cawley, formerly of Leeds United, had the game's first real chance in
the sixth minute, but poked his shot over from a right-sided free kick.
Both sides started slowly, perhaps evidence of Derry's sole point from
five away trips and Paul Doolin's unenviable record of one win in
thirteen attempts.
Veteran Derry striker Liam Coyle, substitute hero in City's 2-2 draw
with St Patrick's Athletic last week, blazed wide on ten minutes,
linking well with former UCD favourite Ciaran Martyn.
Lacking the presence of Mick O'Donnell, dismissed in College's
capitulation against Waterford seven days ago, UCD were cut open through
the centre of midfield on 26 minutes. A ball over the top from Padraig
Moran looked to have allowed Coyle open the scoring - he did find
Patrick Jenning's net, but had his effort ruled out for offside.
With Kevin Mahon's barks reverberating in their ears following the
Students' opening goal, Coyle was central to their equaliser just after
the half hour. Two phases from the resumption of Cawley's strike, Peter
Hutton released Gary Beckett down the right flank. His dinking cross
over the head of centre back Ben Savage, gave Coyle acres of space to
plant his header beyond the out stretched right arm of Jennings.
It was poor defending from Doolin's men and the pocket of Derry fans
nestled in the Belfield stand must have held hopes of banishing the
memory of two of their previous visits to the capital this season, when
shifting heavy losses to Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic.
The second period held little in excitement and much in endeavour.
Patrick McWalter edged a shot wide of David Forde's right post on 57
minutes. Kevin Deery saw a sight of goal in the last ten minutes, but
drove his shoot straight at Jennings, the last chance of note in a
scrappy second 45.