Sport

Kavanagh spoils script as Connor bows out

UCD - 1 Sligo Rovers - 0: Completely overshadowed by Seán Connor's confirmation before the match that he had resigned as Sligo…

Paul Buttner
Sat Nov 04 2006 - 00:00

UCD - 1 Sligo Rovers - 0: Completely overshadowed by Seán Connor's confirmation before the match that he had resigned as Sligo manager, the game, won by Patrick Kavanagh's stoppage time goal, was of secondary significance at Belfield as UCD consolidated their mid-table position.

Connor formally told his player of his decision to go after the game, after his players said a farewell of sorts with a battling display only to succumb to the winner at the death.

Kavanagh was UCD's matchwinner as they made it a deserved hat-trick of wins over Sligo. The winger chased down a short back pass, won a challenge with Rovers' keeper Richard Brush, before getting up sharply to tap home the loose ball.

It was the only real talking -point on the pitch as all the focus was on Connor who said he will now pursue other interests.

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Connor cryptically accepted that the vacant Bohemians job "would be a challenge", though he insisted he hadn't been contacted by Dalymount Park.

"I tendered my resignation as manager last night to the chairman; handed it in in writing today. I'll fulfil my duties tonight as manager and that's me," Connor said before last night's kick-off.

Though under contract until the end of next season, Connor, appointed to the post in September 2004, feels he has done all he can at the Showgrounds.

"I think I've taken the club as far as I can under the financial workings that we have," he said.

Kavanagh ought to have given UCD the lead with the best chance of the first half on 36 minutes but the former Wayside Celtic player shot over from about 12 yards. UCD's Stephen Hurley, with a free-kick and Richard Brush with a long range shot went close in a tame second half. The lively Kavanagh then drilled wide on 76 minutes before providing the final twist.

UCD: Quigley; Kenna, McNally, McDonnell, Ryan; Kavanagh, Dicker, Hurley, Doyle (C. Byrne, 85 mins.); Sammon (P. Byrne, 68 mins.), Finn.

SLIGO: Brush; Coleman, McKenzie, Mulligan, Foy; Kuduzovic, Hughes (Aisien, 68 mins.), O'Grady, Curran, Singh; McTiernan (Mansaram, 58 mins.).

Referee: Richie Winter (Dublin).