National League, Premier Division/UCD 0 Derry City 2: The red and white fireworks that occasionally illuminated the Halloween sky in the adjacent streets over Belfield Park served as a timely reminder to Cork City that their closest rivals Derry City are still very much in the hunt for league honours this season.
Both Derry and Cork crashed to relegation-threatened clubs at the weekend and with Damien Richardson's side snatching full points in Phibsboro earlier in the day it was imperative the Brandywell club did likewise here last night to maintain the intriguing battle at the top of the table.
Derry were keen to return to winning ways after two recent defeats and with Cork edging ahead of them, albeit briefly, with their win over Bohemians, they could afford no slip-ups. And despite having to contain an eager home side, Stephen Kenny's side imposed themselves well in every department.
UCD looked lively early on and Pat McWalter, deployed as a striker but more at home down the left, dropped deep and his inventive running when cutting in from the wing was eye-catching. But defender Clive Delaney had his measure and he frequently thwarted a number of dangerous breaks forward.
Derry grew in confidence, however, and were soon carving out the better chances. Kevin Deery spoiled much of UCD's best work in the middle with a number of telling challenges and subsequently set his side on the front foot. Killian Brennan, too, was effective with the ball at his feet but it was striker Stephen O'Flynn who made the most telling contribution in a tight first half.
After 14 minutes, strike partner Mark Farren played him in on the left and, after turning UCD captain Tony McDonnell one way and then the next, he shot low past goalkeeper Darren Quigley from the edge of the area. It was a fine individual effort but UCD showed good character and regrouped smartly.
First, Brian Gannon, under strong pressure from both Delaney and Peter Hutton, forced David Forde to save with his feet from close range and then minutes before the break McWalter crashed a shot off the underside of the crossbar after capitalising on Hutton's defensive mistake with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Sandwiched in between those two incidents, though, Derry almost bagged a spectacular but unorthodox second. Gareth McGlynn crossed from the right but the swirling wind took hold of the ball and Quigley scrambled across his goalline to tip the ball over the crossbar at full stretch.
Derry's pressure proved relentless after the break and although their chances in front of goal were limited, they made good use of possession. Clever cross-field balls had the home side at full stretch on occasion. From one such move, after 71 minutes, O'Flynn found McGlynn out wide. Mark Farren, however, steered his header tamely wide from the resulting cross.
Quigley made a superb save to deny Pat McCourt in the 90th minute but was at fault a minute later when he allowed Barry Molloy's low shot slip through his hands and into the net.
UCD: Quigley; Mahon, McDonnell, Shortall, Kenna; Gannon, Dicker, Hurley, O'Donnell; McWalter, Dupuy. Subs: Doyle for Dupuy (half-time), Harte for Hurley (52 mins), Sammon for Gannon (83 mins). Booked: McDonnell (49).
DERRY CITY: Forde; McCallion, Delaney, Hutton, Hargan: McGlynn, Deery, Martyn, Brennan; O'Flynn, Farren. Subs: McCourt for Brennan (36 mins ), Molloy for Deery (half-time), Murphy for Farren (90). Booked: McCourt (75).
Referee: D Hanney (Dublin)
