Sport

UCD give full value

Following their disappointing Cup defeat by Longford Town on Tuesday, Waterford United had hoped to recapture their recent promising…

Mon Jan 17 2000 - 00:00

Following their disappointing Cup defeat by Longford Town on Tuesday, Waterford United had hoped to recapture their recent promising League form against UCD at the RSC.

But the Blues were lack-lustre throughout and decidedly short on ideas and inspiration up-front.

On the other hand, UCD were much more positive and adventurous and fully deserved both points. They had the good fortune to see David Whittle head into his own goal on 53 minutes but Peter Hanrahan's brilliant strike on 67 minutes would have graced any arena.

There was little between the sides in the first half. Ciaran Martyn, Ciaran Kavanagh and Aidan Lynch had opportunities for UCD, while Stephen Grant went close for Waterford.

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A powerful John Frost shot from 35 yards was parried by goalkeeper Barry Ryan; the ball fell to Grant but his shot from an acute angle was turned out for a corner by Ryan.

Eight minutes into the second half saw disaster for United. Whittle intercepted a harmless, speculative cross from Brian Mooney and headed past his own goalkeeper. Hanrahan's goal on 67 minutes was worthy of winning any game. He gained possession in the middle of the field and released the ball to Michael O'Byrne out on the left; Hanrahan then raced down the middle and arrived in time to meet the return pass and volley to the net from 14 yards.

The controversial postponement of the top game of the weekend's Premier Division programme has left the Irish League with a fixture headache. They must find a new date for the Solitude meeting of Cliftonville and League leaders Linfield and it is unlikely the authorities will allow the match to be played with an evening kick-off.

There are no Saturdays available until the end of the season unless both teams are knocked out of the Irish Cup, which begins next weekend. Referee Herbie Barr declared the frozen surface unfit for play an hour before kick-off and Cliftonville officials were criticised for not arranging an earlier pitch inspection.

Waterford Utd: Devine; Whittle, Frost, Reynolds, Riordan, T McGrath, Kirby, D McGrath, Grant, Markey, Stirling. Subs: Iorfa for Markey (63 mins), Gannon for Stirling (73 mins), Wood for Reynolds (82 mins).

UCD: Ryan; McLoughlin, Mahon, Lynch, Delaney, Kavanagh, Mooney, Martyn, O'Byrne, Hanrahan, Martin.

Referee: E Barr (Dublin).