UCD 0 St Patrick's Athletic 3:St Patrick's Athletic guaranteed themselves places in next season's Uefa and Setanta Cups with a comprehensive victory over UCD at Belfield Park last night to finish second in the Premier Division table.
There was to be no fairytale farewell for the Students from the venue they have played in since winning senior status in 1979. In fact they are still in the relegation play-off stakes with Galway United and Waterford United before moving to the Belfield Bowl next season.
The Inchicore men had a dream start when grabbing the lead on 78 seconds following a long ball out of defence by captain Dave Rogers. Mark Quigley then played a clever ball to Michael Keane and his perfect cross from the left was headed home from close range at the far post by striker Gary O'Neill.
After Alan Kirby was dispossessed and Rogers failed to clear, the Students had a perfect chance to equalise just before the interval as winger Pat McWalter tried to walk the ball around goalkeeper Brendan Clarke only to lose control before attempting to shoot into the unguarded net.
St Patrick's made the points safe when defender Stephen Paisley headed home in a crowded goalmouth after a corner on 55 minutes by Keith Fahey and Mark Quigley fired home his side's third on 82 minutes after O'Neill had created the opening.
UCD: D Quigley; Mahon, Shortall (Crowley, 50), McNally, Kenna; C.Byrne, McDonnell, King (P Byrne, 65), McWalter; Sammon, Finn (Doyle, 78).
ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Clarke; Brennan, Maguire, Paisley, Rogers; Fahey, Keane (Ndo, 45), Gibson, Kirby; O'Neill (Guy, 85), M Quigley (Fitzpatrick, 88).
Referee: Paul Tuite (Dublin).
