Sport

UCD in no form for shocks

FAI CUP: UCD - 3 CHERRY ORCHARD - 0: The home team's jitters at the back threw this game away virtually from the start

Mon Jan 14 2002 - 00:00

FAI CUP: UCD - 3 CHERRY ORCHARD - 0:The home team's jitters at the back threw this game away virtually from the start. UCD were gifted a seventh-minute lead and further goals from Mick O'Donnell and Kevin Grogan in the second half booked their FAI Cup quarter-final place.

"We never played," said a very disappointed Cherry Orchard manager, Paul O'Brien. "To be honest, we were lucky to get away with a 3-0 defeat," he said, adding that it was their worst performance of the season.

The warning signs were there as early as three minutes when home goalkeeper Brendan Kennedy was off his line quickly to save at the feet of John Martin after left back Kevin Harrington's back pass fell short.

Kennedy then excelled with a stunning stop from point-blank range to deprive O'Donnell a minute later as his defence failed to clear Robert McAuley's long throw.

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Minutes later the Leinster Senior League team paid for their errors. James Reilly's hesitancy was punished as he appeared to wait for a whistle for a handball which never came. His poor touch played Robbie Martin through on goal and the 19-year-old drilled a shot low past Kennedy.

Orchard were fortunate not to concede more goals before half-time: UCD player/manager Paul Doolin clipped over the bar; Stephen Barry made a goal-saving block on Robbie Martin; O'Donnell headed against a post; Robbie Martin's handstand at a second "goal" was unmerited, as the efforts was ruled out offside, while Alan Gallen had a shot cleared off the line by Harrington.

However, nine minutes into the second half, man-of-the-match O'Donnell added UCD's second with a delightful lob after Darragh Ryan's ball put him through.

Substitute Kevin Grogan chipped home the third on 85 minutes after Kennedy had saved at the feet of O'Donnell.

"I thought we were very good," said Doolin. "People were coming here expecting a shock. But we controlled the game from start to finish and I don't think they had one chance in the whole match."

CHERRY ORCHARD: Kennedy; Barry (Christie 65), Reilly, Byrne, Harrington (Dunne half-time); McNeill, Cassin (O'Meara 65), Smith, Luby; O'Brien, Kenny.

UCD: B Ryan; Quinn, Delaney (Purdy 90), McAuley, D Ryan; J Martin, McNally, Doolin, O'Donnell; R Martin, Gallen (Grogan 75).

Referee: D Hanney (Dublin).