National League Premier Division/ Shelbourne 4; UCD 2: There was no back slapping or such on the whistle but the relief at having bucked a winless run against bogey team UCD was etched on the faces of the Shelbourne players as they left the Tolka Park pitch last night.
After drawing twice in the league and then gifting their opponents a League Cup final spot on the back of a calamitous semi-final collapse, it came as some relief to the home side to see off their city rivals. Jason Byrne took the plaudits with his first hat-trick of the campaign.
Inactive last weekend due to FAI Cup games, Shelbourne's approach work was notably fresh in the opening stages. Time and again they worked the ball neatly from the back, playing in wingers Bobby Ryan and Wes Hoolahan who wreaked havoc.
Ryan, in particular, was is in lethal form. His slaloming runs proved problematic for full back Aaron McEneff and, more often than not, he comfortably had the beating of his man. The former Bohemians player excelled against his old club here a fortnight ago and in maintaining that form he inspired much of Shelbourne's best work
His corner, after just three minutes, almost forced the breakthrough but when captain Owen Heary rose unchallenged to head at goal he found goalkeeper Darren Quigley equal to the task, batting the ball over the bar.
It was no surprise then that Shelbourne took an early lead. After 13 minutes, goalkeeper Dean Delaney cleared downfield which was headed on by Glen Crowe. Byrne raced in behind the UCD defence to leave Quigley no chance, blasting home from just inside the area.
Despite struggling to contain the free-flowing Shelbourne attack, UCD were not without ideas on the break. Gary Dicker and Brian Gannon where keen to tease when afforded space but a killer touch was always lacking. Nevertheless, the visitors persistence paid off when Anto Murphy headed home Stephen Hurley's free-kick to level on 15 minutes.
Shelbourne's hold on the game slipped somewhat after that setback but still they carved out the better chances. Byrne was not to be denied a second and he had Quigley picking the ball from his net 10 minutes before the break after slotting home Ollie Cahill's low cross from close range.
Still, though, UCD persisted and after a minute of the second half they levelled. Damien Dupuy's close-range header cannoned off the crossbar and Dicker shielded the ball for midweek cup hero Pat McWalter, who rushed in to score amid a frantic scramble.
The goal revitalised the visitors but they failed to penetrate the Shelbourne defence.
Byrne secured his hat-trick from the penalty spot after McEneff bundled over Stuart Byrne in the 74th minute and, with 10 minutes remaining, Heary headed home.
SHELBOURNE: Delaney; Heary, Hawkins, Rogers, Cahill; Ryan, Reynold, S Byrne, Hoolahan; Crowe, J Byrne. Subs: Baker for Ryan (82 mins). Booked: Hawkins (21 mins), Cahill (51 mins)
UCD: Quigley; Mahon, Shortall, McDonnell, McEneff; Gannon, Dicker, Hurley, McWalter; Murphy, Dupuy. Booked: Subs: Harte, D Doyle, W Doyle for Murphy, Dicker, Dupuy (all 83 mins). Booked: Shortall (29 mins).
Referee: P Tuite (Dublin).
