Cork City ... 0 UCD ... 1: UCD's win at Turner's Cross yesterday ensured the students a safe place in the Premier Division for next season and ended Cork City's 13-game unbeaten home record in the competition.
The significance of the result was soon lost to Cork fans when manager Liam Murphy announced that he was vacating the job after two and a half seasons in charge. Murphy will take over a new position as technical director.
He explained that he believed the job of manager had to become a full-time one. He had been invited to continue in that capacity but was unable to do so because of other commitments.
"We have to move to a full-time position," he said. "With the players who have come in and the players who need to be attracted here it calls for a full-time manager and I just cannot accept that at this time."
UCD's goal arrived on 43 minutes. Alan Cawley's corner from the left wing found Alan Gallen unmarked in the heart of the penalty area and he headed powerfully to the net.
Manager Paul Doolin said: "I'm delighted with that. When you look at the season overall from where we were to where we finished, we finished sixth.
"When Shels beat us we had six games left and I remember saying to them, 'well, listen boys, we're capable of beating any of the teams we have left to play.' To win four and draw two has been fantastic and I'm delighted for them."
CORK CITY: Devine; Carey (Warren 60) Daly, Murray, Horgan; O'Halloran, Reynolds, Bennett (C P O'Brien 46), O'Flynn.
UCD: B Ryan; Sullivan, Delaney, McAuley, D Ryan; J Martin, McDonnell, McNally, Cawley; R Martin (Doyle 79), Gallen (O'Donnell 89).
Referee: E Barr (Dublin).