UCD show they are part of upper class

UCD 3  Galway United 1:Theconditions promised a game with much the same sort of movement to be expected of a 'Disney on Ice' production, but with none of the co-ordination.

As it turned out, these two sides battled bravely through the wind and rain to produce a game that, though understandably short on style, provided a useful lesson on why one has not been good enough to stay in the premier division while the other has had just enough of what it takes to avoid the drop.

Paul Doolin's side are not, of course, quite safe yet, but he had good reason to be pleased yesterday after a spirited performance by a team not generally known for their ability to combat the elements that puts daylight between themselves and the danger zone.

For his opposite number, the task is already to plan and prepare for next year and many of the players involved at Belfield have already committed themselves to the fight for promotion.

On the strength of their showing it's hard to say how they'll fare in the lower flight, but at various times they showed themselves capable of holding their own with their hosts and this was hardly the day to expect them to halt their slide out of the division.

Afterwards, Tony Mannion conceded that his players simply hadn't played for most of the game and what was even more clear was that his defence could only sometimes be depended upon to defend.

For Richie Purdy's opening goal 10 minutes in, there appeared to be little attempt to prevent Darragh Ryan's corner reaching the centre half at the far post and none whatsoever to hinder his attempt to head it back into the net.

Ryan's own effort midway through the half was worse again with Ciarán Martyn's through ball splitting United's back-four hopelessly before the midfielder slotted home.

Briefly in the second half, after the visiting side's best spell of the afternoon, Alan Murphy pulled his side back into the game by poking home a ball dropped by Barry Ryan inside the six-yard box but UCD's two-goal lead was swiftly restored by David Quinn who profited when what should have been a rather straightforward clearance from the United box descended into something of a shambles.

The goals aside, the game was memorable mainly for the string of bad tackles that were largely attributable to the playing surface. Doolin, though, pointed to the few decent passages of play as continuing evidence of his side's growing maturity while those who have been about the club a little longer marvelled at their team's newly acquired stomach for a bit of a scrap.

"I'm delighted," said the manager. "They'd beaten us twice this season before today, but this was the one that mattered to us.

"The game reminded me of one from 10 years ago because of the conditions but we coped well.

"That's seven points from the last nine now, which gives us every chance."

UCD: Ryan; Mahon, Delaney, Purdy, McAuley; J Martin, Quinn, Doolin, Ryan; Martyn (Grogan, 80 mins), R Martin (McNally, 64 mins).

GALWAY UNITED: Forde; Keady (Malee, 75 mins), Clery, Silke, Carberry; O'Brien, Carter, Murphy, Quirke (Forde, 43 mins); Brennan (Miller, 75 mins), Murphy.

Referee: H Whoriskey (Dublin).