Students unable to take back gift

UCD 1 Waterford United 2Waterford United, newly promoted from the First Division, made it three wins in a row last night, at Belfield Park, as they handed a fourth consecutive defeat to Paul Doolin's UCD.

Already leading through Gary O'Neill's second goal of the season, they were gift-wrapped the all important second goal in first half injury-time.

A long hopeful ball forward by Kevin Waters seemed to be no threat at all, but UCD goalkeeper Pat Jennings and Hugh Davey got their wires crossed and the defender, not realising his goalkeeper had come off his line to gather the ball, ended up heading into an empty net.

However, UCD came out a much more threatening side after the break. Their intentions were shown only two minutes in when Mick O'Donnell headed inches wide. Then after waiting through 321 minutes of league action they finally got their first goal of the season with Robbie Martin stabbing home from eight yards following good work by O'Donnell and Tony McDonnell.

Yet they were almost two goals in arrears again moments later as O'Neill was denied by Jennings. The Students, much as they tried, could not make their comeback.

They were denied an equaliser nine minutes from time when Alan McNally's long-range shot was brilliantly kicked over by United goalkeeper Daniel Connor, while John Martin saw his 20-yard drive carried by Connor deep in injury-time.

The all important breakthrough last night came after just 16 minutes. A Vinnie O'Sullivan shot was not dealt with at all by Jennings as he twice failed to gather it, leaving O'Neill to fire home from eight yards out.

UCD: Jennings, Sullivan, Davey, McAuley (Gallan, 86 mins), Whelan (Cawley, 69 mins), McNally, J Martin, McDonnell, R Martin, Finn (Griffin, 69 mins), O'Donnell.

WATERFORD UNITED: Connor, Hughes, Breen, Byrne, Reilly (Frost, 65 mins), Clifford, Mulcahy, Fitzgerald (O'Brien, 65 mins), Waters, O'Neill, O'Sullivan (Murphy, 73 mins.)

Referee: P Tuite (Dublin).