UCD - 2 Shamrock Rovers - 2: Shamrock Rovers will edge cautiously forward to next week's promotion/relegation play-off games against either Dublin City or Cobh Ramblers after securing a deserved draw with UCD at Belfield Park last night.
The Hoops brought a smile to the face of caretaker boss Alan O'Neill early on in his first game in charge since taking over from the suspended Roddy Collins when winger Cathal O'Connor was on target twice in the opening 22 minutes.
There were a mere 700 fans at Belfield for what was in essence a meaningless fixture.
Rovers had the perfect start on 13 minutes when a midfield ball from Marc Kenny found winger O'Connor and he coolly shot past goalkeeper Darren Quigley from a narrow angle.
O'Connor added a second just nine minutes later when he took advantage of weak clearance by Mick O'Donnell. A neat interchange with defender Cathal Sweetman allowed O'Connor to crash the ball to the corner from eight yards.
But gradually the Students got to grip with the game and pulled a goal back on 36 minutes after a slip by goalkeeper Barry Murphy. A cross from the right by Brian Gannon was misjudged and winger Pat McWalter headed in from close range.
College were to have the final say when substitute Ronan Finn levelled on 87 minutes, firing to the net from 10 yards after Willie Doyle had created the opening.
UCD: Quigley; Mahon, Shorthall, Kenna, O'Donnell; Gannon, Dicker, McDonnell, McWalter; Dupuy, Martin. Subs: Long for O'Donnell (25), Finn for Gannon (67), W Doyle for Dupuy (70).
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Murphy; Sweetman, Foley, Shelley, K Doyle; O'Connor, McDonagh, Kenny, Quigley; Sheridan, Roche. Subs: Manley for Quigley (56), O'Halloran for Kenny (66), Daniel for O'Connor (80).
Referee John Feighery (Dublin).
