UCD 0 Cork City 1: A perfectly-struck effort by striker Roy O'Donovan on the stroke of half-time enabled Cork City to kick-start their Premier Division campaign with their first goal and first win in three league games.
UCD's Irish Under-21 international goalkeeper Darren Quigley easily collected early long range efforts from Cork's Bosnian midfielder Admir Softic and then a shot from striker John O'Flynn.
But College then threatened when a cross by defender Alan Mahon on the right was headed past the far post by striker Conor Sammon.
Cork resumed their dominance when ex-UCD defender Darragh Ryan sent over an inch-perfect cross from the left only for O'Flynn to shoot over the top.
Cork's pressure eventually told in the first minute of added time in the first half after College's Shane McFaul had lost possession in midfield. A neat interchange of passes between Softic and Joe Gamble then enabled the lively O'Donovan to fire home from 15 yards.
A punched clearance by keeper Michael Devine from a fiercely-struck free by Mahon prevented UCD grabbing an equaliser in the second half.
UCD: Quigley; Mahon, McNally, McMillan, Kenna; C. Byrne, Finn (Bolger 87), McFaul (King 87), Doyle; P Byrne (Opera 74), Sammon.
CORK CITY: Devine; Horgan, Kelly (Cathal Lordan 45), Murray, Ryan; Lordan, Softic, Gamble, Woods; O'Donovan, O'Flynn (Behan 90).
Referee: Damien Hancock(Dublin).
