UCD will be glad to see the end of Derry City striker Liam Coyle as the 33-year old broke their hearts again at the Brandywell last night.
As was the case in Belfield Park in the quarter-final of the FAI Cup, Coyle pounced again with a dramatic last-gasp equaliser to deny UCD a deserved victory.
Having entered the fray in the 75th minute Coyle was upended on the edge of UCD's penalty area. After dusting himself down, he curled the ball around the defensive wall to find the corner of the net. The point guaranteed Derry's top flight status next season.
For UCD it was another bitter pill to swallow as they controlled the proceedings having broken the deadlock in the 31st minute.
A Darragh Ryan corner was headed powerfully to the net by David Quinn.
UCD maintained the momentum after the break when Quinn was denied in the 55th minute by Derry goalkeeper Russell Payne.
The home side, missing three of the players who lost out in the cup at Dalymount on Sunday, flattered to deceive.
But Coyle's intervention as substitute clearly inspired the hosts to an unlikely share of the spoils.
DERRY CITY: Payne; Doherty, E McCallion, McLoughlin, Mullan; Beckett, McGrynn, T McCallion, McCready; Hughes, McCaul. Subs: Gilmour for McCaul (52 mins); McBride for Beckett (53 mins); Coyle for Hughes (75 mins).
UCD: B Ryan, Mahon, Delaney, Purdy, McCauley, J Martin, Doolin, Quinn, D Ryan, R Martin, C Martyn. Subs: McDonnell for R Martin (87 mins).
Referee: Ian Stokes (Dublin)
Derry City ... 1
UCD ... 1
