Sport

UCD have no joy for Moran's last stand

Neither side can have been very happy at the end of a game remarkable only for the dearth of scoring chances it produced.

Fri Aug 31 2001 - 01:00

Neither side can have been very happy at the end of a game remarkable only for the dearth of scoring chances it produced.

Outgoing UCD manager Martin Moran didn't get the perfect going away gift of three points he so desired, while St Patrick's, despite totally dominating the second half, wasted an opportunity to go top of the table.

The first-half was all but forgettable until the last seven minutes or so when we might have had a goal at either end.

St. Patrick's midfielder Robbie Griffin, back on his old stomping ground, drilled well wide on 28 minutes to offer the only half-chance on goal before things livened up considerably with a bad miss at the other end 10 minutes later.

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The first really flowing move of the game saw Paul Doolin, - who was started in preparation for his new managerial role - and Alan Mahon combining for the latter to cross.

Robbie Martin set up Ciarβn Martyn with a neat lay-off only for Martyn to miscue his shot across the face of the goal with only Shay Kelly to beat.

A free-kick reminiscent of a David Beckham effort then almost brought St Patrick's the lead in first-half stoppage time.

Seβn Mannion curled his pacey right-footer over the wall but inches wide of Barry Ryan's right-hand post.

Despite running the second-half, St Patrick's were restricted to one shot on goal in the whole 45 minutes; captain Trevor Croly shooting tamely into the arms of Barry Ryan on 67 minutes.

Bohemians midfielder Kevin Hunt has been banned for three games by the FAI's disciplinary committee. The player had reached the cut-off mark of 14 penalty points.

Dundalk's Stephen McGuinness and Aaron O'Callaghan are also amongst the players to have received suspensions which come into force on Wednesday, September 12th.

UCD: B. Ryan; Mahon, Delaney, McAuley, O'Donnell; J. Martin, Purdy, Doolin, D Ryan; R Martin, C Martyn. Subs: O'Dowd for D Ryan (68 mins); McNally for Doolin (75 mins); Lynch for J Martin (81 mins).

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: S Kelly; Croly, Maguire, C Foley, Burke; Mbabazi, Griffin, Mannion, Russell; L Kelly, Holt. Subs: Harris for Burke (81 mins); Quinn for Mannion (90 mins).

Referee: J. Stacey.