Shelbourne ... 2 UCD ... 1Just what the doctor ordered for Shelbourne last night at Tolka Park, as they secured the required three points in their bid to eat into Bohemians' lead at the top of the table.
Pat Fenlon's side had to do it the hard way, having to come from behind to claim the victory which now leaves them nine points behind their Dalymount Park rivals.
Having been stunned by Robert Doyle's 27th-minute opener, two goals in the space of as many minclinched the points.
Mark Roberts had them level with a 36th-minute deflected shot before Davy Byrne made it 2-1 a minute later with a goal-of-the-season contender - a 30-yard drive into the top corner.
UCD could have earned themselves a point six minutes into the second half as Doyle was unlucky to see his free kick hit the crossbar, while at the other end Richie Baker, Roberts and Stephen Geoghegan all went close to adding to the home side's tally.
After the initial shadow-boxing of the opening 25 minutes, the game burst into life when UCD shocked the hosts with the lead goal.
A Pat Sullivan cross eventually made its way to UCD'S top-scorer Doyle, who managed to steer his shot past Shelbourne goalkeeper Steve Williams, albeit with the help of a deflection.
That sparked the home side into life and only for the acrobatics of UCD goalkeeper Barry Ryan, Shelbourne would have been level sooner as he produced a great save to deny Roberts.
However, the two goals in quick succession put the game in favour of Fenlon's side.
They were level on 36 minutes when Roberts created space for himself before seeing his 10-yard deflected shot nestle in the back of the net. And before UCD had time to recover, they found themselves two down, Byrne's pile-driver of a shot proving to be the match winner.
Former Republic of Ireland Youth international Barry Kehoe died suddenly, aged 40, yesterday. A member of Dundalk's double winning team of 1988, Kehoe's career was prematurely ended not long afterwards by a recurrence of the cancer which he had initially overcome in the mid-80s.
He went on to become a prominent and successful business man in the town and his death was met with shock last night, by those close to the club.
SHELBOURNE: Williams; Heary, Crawley, Prenderville, D Byrne; Gannon, Cahill, S Byrne, Roberts; Geoghegan, R Baker.
UCD: B Ryan; Mahon, D Ryan, Purdy, Delaney; McNally, Cawley, McDonnell, Finn, Doyle, Sullivan. Subs: R Martin for Finn (70 mins), Davey for Sullivan (70 mins).
Referee: H Whoriskey (Dublin)
