Cork City 1 UCD 0:  Cork City's opponents from Cyprus in the Champions League could not have been impressed with the Eircom League champions last night at Turner's Cross where UCD were unlucky not to have shared the points.

Cork failed to play with any urgency until the second half and while UCD were willing and hard-working, the champions showed they had a distinct advantage when they stepped up the pace of the game after the interval.

UCD might well have been in front at that stage for they succeeded in creating the better chances during a low-key opening half but they were denied twice by goalkeeper Michael Devine when a goal looked imminent.

Cork had two penalty appeals denied - the first when Neale Fenn went down under the challenge of Conor Kenna in the 25th minute and the second, a more genuine grievance, when goalkeeper Darren Quigley restrained substitute Denis Behan.

The fans, however, had to wait until the half-time break for an incident that brought them to their feet.

Former Cork striker Kevin Doyle was there for a presentation of his league championship winner's medal by chairman Brian Lennox for his early-season contribution before his transfer to Reading 12 months ago.

Cork's sloppy football of the opening half was forgotten when they contrived a neat passing movement that saw the ball swiftly moved from Dan Murray and Fenn to Roy O'Donovan wide on the left after 61 minutes. His low cross was fired past Quigley by Denis Behan.

Gary Dicker was close to scoring an equaliser in the 72nd minute when he moved quickly to get to a low cross from the right wing by substitute Alan Cawley.

CORK CITY: Devine; Horgan, Bennett, Murray, Woods; O'Donovan, O'Brien, Softic (Murphy 54), Gamble; Fenn, O'Flynn (Behan 20).

UCD: Quigley; Mahon, McNally, Shortall, Kenna; Hurley, Dicker, McDonnell (Cawley 54), Doyle; McWalter (Ryan 76), Sammon (Quinn 76).

Referee: D Hanney (Dublin).