Aside from the goal which won this contest, new UCD manager Martin Moran will have little to remember of his debut night in football management. Overall this was a highly disappointing affair with neither side able to rise above the mediocre.

However, Ciaran Martyn's strike which finally decided the issue 15 minutes from the end was worthy of its reward. The UCD striker was coolness personified as he latched on to a throughball from Ken Kilmurray to beat the advancing Gareth Byrne with the deftest of flicks.

Drogheda: G Byrne, McDonald, Thornton, Impey, Maher, O'Keeffe, Butler, Murphy, Revins, O'Dowd, Roche. Subs: McCann for Butler (69 mins); M Byrne for Revins (86 mins).

UCD: Ryan, McDonnell, Mahon, Lynch, Delaney, Kavanagh, Martin, Martyn, Kilmurray, Bennis, Ryan. Subs: Mooney for Ryan 58 mins, Fitzpatrick for Bennis 77 mins.

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).