Paul Doolin made a triumphant return to Tolka Park as UCD's player/manager thanks to Alan McNally's strike after 19 minutes yesterday.
The goal was always coming as the visitors had exposed the Shelbourne defence on several occasions shortly before the goal.Gareth Downey, replacing the injured Steve Williams in the Shelbourne goal, had to produce two good saves as UCD started positively. Downey initially tipped round a post with one hand from Robbie Martin's left-foot shot on 16 minutes.
Darragh Ryan then had Downey stretching skyward as the goalkeeper showed his agility again to tip over the bar two minutes later.
But UCD got their reward from the resutlant corner. Ryan's cross had plenty of pace on it and McNally rose well at the back post to score with a bullet header.
SHELBOURNE: Downey, Heary, McCarthy, Hutton, Minnock, R Baker, D Byrne (Crawford 35), Gannon, Fenlon, Dempsey (B Byrne 46); Geoghegan (Fitzpatrick 75).
UCD: B Ryan, Delaney, McAuley, McDonnell, Mahon, Timmons, Doolin (Keating 90), McNally, D Ryan, Martyn, R. Martin.
Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).
