UCD ... 1 Drogheda United ... 3:INSPIRED BY two first-half goals by striker Aidan O'Keeffe, Premier Division champions Drogheda United eventually eased their way to another vital three points against UCD at the Belfield Bowl last night.
Drogheda had looked dangerous early on when first former Newcastle United player Joe Kendrick had a shot blocked by Brian Shortall after a neat interchange of passes with defender Ollie Cahill.
Then UCD goalkeeper Matt Gregg had to be alert to grab the ball at the feet of striker Eamon Zayed after a dangerous cross from midfielder Kendrick.
Drogheda deservedly took the lead on 35 minutes when O'Keeffe shot home from close range after a Shane Robinson header allowed Zayed to set up the opportunity.
But College went close to an equaliser when Drogheda third-choice goalkeeper Jamie Ewings did well to block an effort at point-blank range by midfielder Brian King.
O'Keeffe then added his second goal on 42 minutes when he gave Gregg no chance by heading home a cross from defender Brian Shelley.
The students were back in the game in the first minute of added time in the first half when defender Graham Gartland was deemed to have fouled Shane Fitzgerald - it seemed a harsh decision. The ensuing penalty by Alan Mahon was brilliantly pushed out by the agile Ewings. But Mahon was fastest to react and calmly slotted home the rebound.
Another controversial penalty from Dublin referee Derek Tomney allowed Drogheda to snatch a third goal in the 46th minute when defender Killian Gallagher took down Robinson after the winger had burst through the middle.
Even the introduction of second-half substitutes Alan McNally and Derek Doyle could not inspire a UCD revival with Drogheda happy to play out the second half to record their third win of the season.
The biggest cheer of the night was for Shane Barrett who came on as a late substitute, his first appearance after 14 months of injuries.
UCD: Gregg; Kenna, Shortall (McNally 67), Gallagher; Fitzgerald, King, Finn, McWalter, Byrne, Purcell (Doyle 67).
DROGHEDA UTD: Ewings; Shelley, Gavin, Gartland, Cahill; Robinson (Barrett 88), Byrne, Keegan, Kendrick (Baker 69), Zayed, O'Keeffe (Iyane-Thiam 82).
Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin).
