UCD 1 Shelbourne 1Glen Crowe came good at last for Shelbourne with a spectacular, 70th-minute volley to rescue a point for the Premier Division champions in a hugely entertaining encounter against UCD at Belfield Park last night.
It was Crowe's first league goal for Shelbourne since his move from Bohemians in the close season. But a draw was no more than UCD deserved, repeating the 1-1 scoreline between the teams on the opening day of the season.
Stung by successive defeats by Linfield, Bohemians and Cork City, Shelbourne started in a determined mood. But manager Pat Fenlon still had to plan without the injured David Crawley, Owen Heary, Richie Baker and Alan Moore, while striker Jason Byrne was absent with flu.
College then took a shock lead on eight minutes when a corner by teenager Stephen Hurley on the left allowed the unmarked Tony McDonnell to get in a looping header from 10 yards over the head of goalkeeper Steve Williams.
UCD: Quigley; Shortall, Kenna, McNally, O'Donnell; Hurley, McDonnell, Dicker, McWalter (Murphy, 60 mins); Dupuy (Gannon, 83 mins), Martin (Doyle, 89 mins). Subs not used: Gallagher, Harte, Doyle. Goal: McDonnell 8 mins.
SHELBOURNE: Williams; Rogers, Harris (Brennan, 13 mins), Hawkins, Cahill; Ryan (Hoolahan, 58 mins), Byrne, Crawford, Ndo; O'Neill (Fitzpatrick, 53 mins), Crowe. Subs not used: Delaney, Cawley. Goal: Crowe 70 mins.
Referee: Damien Hancock (Dublin)