Twigg gives Rovers a lift

UCD 1 Shamrock Rovers 2

HAVING SCORED the winner in Monday’s League Cup clash at the same venue, Gary Twigg’s sixth goal in eight games put Shamrock Rovers joint top of the Premier Division table. While Rovers were deserving of the three points on their second-half display, UCD again proved their position in mid-table is fully merited.

Rovers’ early promise was rewarded with their lead on eight minutes. Referee Declan Hanney initially played an advantage, but then gave a free-kick for a clumsy foul by Greg Bolger on Stephen Bradley. James Chambers curled the ball low round the wall to beat the unsighted Billy Brennan at his left-hand post. It was the first league goal UCD had conceded in almost eight hours.

But the response was prompt as College were level within six minutes when Paul Corry’s long-range drive took a significant deflection off Paddy Kavanagh to find the corner of the net.

UCD were then the better side until the interval with Evan McMillan and Ciarán Kilduff forcing saves from Mannus.

Brennan would see the first action of the second half, though, getting down well to push away Chambers’ low cross from Dennehy after the midfielder had worked a one-two with Twigg.

Generally quite for much of the night, Twigg showed his predatory prowess to win it on 85 minutes. Substitute Dessie Baker’s clever ball over the top put the Scot in on goal and he drilled the ball home.

UCD:Brennan; Harding, E McMillan, Boyle, Shortall; Wilson (Fitzgerald, 71 mins), Mulhall, Bolger, Corry, D McMillan; Kilduff (Creevy, 71 mins).

SHAMROCK ROVERS:Mannus; Flynn, Sives, Murray, Murphy; Kavanagh (O'Connor, 62 mins), Bradley, Chambers, Turner (Baker, 69 mins), Dennehy (Stewart, 77 mins); Twigg.

Referee:Declan Hanney (Dublin).