Students grow in stature

Robbie Martin scored his sixth goal of the season as ever-improving UCD inflected a second successive defeat on St Patrick's Athletic at Richmond Park to lift themselves up to joint fourth in the table.

Led by their inspired player/manager Paul Doolin, who rowed in with the first goal, UCD took the game to their hosts and deserved the break they got as St Patrick's had two goals disallowed in a fitful but nonetheless thoroughly entertaining game for those who turned up.

As subdued as the atmosphere was, the game took a while to come to life. And when it did the moderate home crowd were silenced by the vision and guile of the experienced 38-year-old Doolin.

His goal, his second in three league games, shouldn't have come as much of a surprise as he had run the midfield from the start and, on the balance of play, their lead was no more than the students deserved. Doolin picked up the ball some 40 yards from the goal, knocked it to his midfield partner Alan McNally, who is half his age, and set off unchecked by a sluggish defence to receive the return.

Ball at his feet again with his back to goal, Doolin held off a challenge before turning and shooting past goalkeeper Shay Kelly.

As if shocked by the temerity of UCD to come and not just take the game to them, but the lead as well, St Patrick's might have conceded further goals in the following few minutes as Robbie Martin and Mick O'Connell both had shots only marginally off target.

Rattled, but nonetheless roused to action, St Patrick's came on strong towards the end of the first half and should have been level by the break.

Paul Osam bravely dived low at the near post to get a head to a Michael Holt cross that flew over the top. Colm Foley then thought he had headed an equaliser from a Martin Russell free-kick on 42 minutes but the referee disallowed it for pushing.

Osam then shot wide from right in front of goal, again after a well-taken Russell free-kick caused UCD real problems.

Liam Kelly equalised for St Patrick's 11 minutes after the break as the home side enjoyed their best spell of the game. Kelly dived low to head home after Osam headed an accurate Mbazbazi cross down to him.

But John Martin set up his younger brother Robbie for what proved the winner on 67 minutes.

John got to the end line to cross and Robbie applied the finishing touch at the near post.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Kelly; Crolly, Maguire, C Foley, Donnelly; Mbabazi, Marney, Osam, Russell; Holt, L Kelly. Subs: McCarthy for Donnelly (75 mins), McGuinnes and Doyle for Marney and Holt (both 83 mins).

UCD: B. Ryan; Keating, Delaney, McDonnell, D Ryan; J Martin, Doolin, McNally, O'Donnell; Martyn, R Martin. Subs: Finn for Martyn (75 mins.).

Referee: A Kelly (Cork).