Fenlon's bench punish students

LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION: UCD 1 Bohemians 2THE CREDIT may go to manager Pat Fenlon for making the changes, but with substitutes of the quality of Jason Byrne and Raffaele Cretaro there's always a chance the game will change when they are introduced.

And change it did, as two of the last season’s top-three scorers struck within 30 seconds of each other to steal victory at Belfield.

In a frustrating first half for the visitors, Gareth McGlynn was one of the brighter sparks, and he forced Brian Shortall into the concession on the left. Paul Keegan’s delivery was deep and with Billy Brennan floundering, Bohemians skipper Owen Heary headed goalward only for Stephen Roche to clear off the line.

Earlier efforts from Glenn Cronin, who had combined well with Mark Quigley, and Keegan had gone close. But those were half-chances and the new-look champions looked still to be getting to know one another.

They played plenty of football, but as soon as they progressed beyond halfway Martin Russell’s men were working hard to deny them space and time and as a result they went in at half-time looking comfortable.

And their night improved after the break as goalkeeper Chris O’Connor was beaten to Chris Mulhall’s through ball by Ciarán Kilduff and the striker’s momentum took him over and Thomas Connolly pointed to the spot.

Greg Bolger sent the Australian stopper the wrong way with a cool spot-kick.

Fenlon acted quickly, introducing first Cretaro and then Byrne as he pushed three up front.

They finally got the goal their play deserved with a brilliant counter-attack. O’Connor’s quick free was won in the air by Cretaro who found Byrne who played a neat one-two with Cronin and rifled in a stunning rising drive.

Then Cretaro won the ball back after the kick-off and gave Brennan no chance with a fine finish.

UCD: Brennan; Shortall (Leahy 65), Boyle, E McMillan, Nangle; Mulhall, Ward (Creevey 45), Bolger, Roche, Rusk (D McMillan 85); Kilduff. Sent off: Bolger.

BOHEMIANS: O'Connor; Heary; Gray (Byrne 76), Shelley (Murphy 58), Powell; McGlynn, Cronin, Keegan, Brennan; Quigley, Madden (Cretaro 60).

Referee: T Connolly (Dublin).