Goals from Gary Twigg and Gary McCabe gave Shamrock Rovers a
deserved 2-0 victory over UCD at Belfield on Friday night. It was Rover's
second away win on the bounce in the league.
It didn't take the hoops long to break the deadlock. After a
quiet and even opening to the game they took the lead in the 6th
minute. Ronan Finn broke down the right hand side and crossed for Gary Twigg. Twigg controlled the ball, and his shot went into the net via the post.
Rovers nearly went two up soon after. Stephen Rice found
Twigg in the box and the Scot pulled it back for Gary McCabe. McCabe's right
foot shot was off target though.
However UCD were still very much in it in the first half and
Chris Lyons nearly equalized for them in
the 22nd minute. After David
McMillan won a challenge on the edge of the Rovers area the ball found its way
to the UCD striker. Lyons tried to round Oscar Jansson but the visiting
goalkeeper dived full length to prevent a goal.
In the 33rd minute Paul O'Conor went on a fine run
and picked out Tyrone McNelis on the right. McNelis' cross was half cleared by
Pat Sullivan and the ball found its' way to McMillan whose first time volley
was not too far away.
The champions should have doubled their advantage just before
half time after Twigg played a fine ball to Gary McCabe on the left. McCabe
pulled the ball back for the onrushing Ronan Finn, but Finn who scored against
Derry last week fired his effort over the bar this time from inside the area.
The Hoops created the first real chance of the second half in
the 52nd minute. Conor Powell played it forward to Gary McCabe.
McCabe beat Hugh Douglas down the right hand side and pulled it back for Daryl
Kavanagh in space. Kavanagh shot first time but his effort was just wide.
UCD's only real opportunity of the second half came soon
after. David McMillan curled a right foot shot from outside the area just over
the top.
Rovers deservedly doubled their advantage in the 68th
minute. Killian Brennan played it to Ronan Finn who found the outstanding Gary
McCabe. McCabe raced towards goal and curled a fine right foot shot from
outside the area into the corner of the net past McGinley.
Substitute and recent signing Thomas Stewart missed a sitter
late on for Rovers. Finn put in an outstanding cross from the right. He picked
out Stewart in the 6 yard box but somehow the returning player, who got a fine
reception from the away fans when he came on, headed wide.
Stewart’s miss mattered little when referee Neil Doyle blew
the final whistle after 3 minutes of injury time. Rovers moved up to third with
this victory while Martin Russels’ side remain at the bottom of the table.
UCD: Mark McGinley; Hugh Douglas, James Kavanagh, Mick
Leahy(c), Daniel Ledwith; Paul Corry,
Paul O'Conor; Tyrone McNelis (Sean Russell 60), Robbie Benson (Gary Burke 77),
David McMillan; Chris Lyons (Dean Clarke 70).
Subs not used: Ger Barron, Tomas Boyle, Ciaran
Nangle, Barry McCabe.
Booked: Paul O'Conor (42), James Kavanagh (65)
Sent-off: None.
Shamrock Rovers: Oscar Jansson; Pat Sullivan (Kerrea
Gilbert 77), Colin Hawkins, Craig Sives, Conor Powell; Chris Turner (Killian
Brennan 30), Stephen Rice, Ronan Finn, Gary McCabe; Daryl Kavanagh (Thomas
Stewart 55), Gary Twigg.
Subs not used: Reyaad Pieterse, Ciaran Kilduff, Thomas
Stewart, Conor McCormack, Billy Dennehy.
Booked: Craig Sives (79).
Sent-off: None.
Referee: Neil Doyle.
Attendance: 1,306.
Man of the match: Gary
McCabe (Shamrock Rovers).
© Seamus Egan 2012.
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