UCD 2 Galway U 1:UCD ARE guaranteed Premier Division survival after beating bottom-of-the-table Galway United at the Belfield Bowl last night.
Galway, with the strong wind in their favour, had early chances when first Mark Gilmore shot into the side-netting, then Eric Brown headed wide from a Bobby Ryan corner. UCD might have taken the lead on 23 minutes but Darren Meenan’s effort was blocked by goalkeeper Conor Winn. Alan Murphy went close for Galway when his 30-yard effort sailed inches over the bar. UCD wasted a chance on 37 minutes when Dean Marshall shot over from 20 yards and on the stroke of half-time they were unlucky not to score when Robbie Benson struck the bar.
Against the run of play Galway took the lead on 52 minutes when Zimbabwe winger Oscar Sibanda headed home from close range after a corner by Ryan.
UCD brought on Chris Lyons on 61 minutes and with virtually his first touch the winger fired home from 15 yards one minute later with the ball taking a deflection off Brown to send Winn the wrong way. UCD took the lead on 66 minutes when United’s Lawrence Gaughan headed into his own net from a Seán Russell cross.
UCD: Barron, P O’Conor, Boyle, Leahy, Russell; Marshall, Creevy, Benson (Ledwith 77), Corry, Meenan (Lyons 61); Belhout (Doyle 73).
GALWAY UNITED: Winn; Sinnott (Gartlan 86), Yob Son, Gaughan, Eduardo (Walsh 79); Sibanda, Ryan, Brown, Kelly, Gilmore (Cauldwell 71); Murphy.
Referee: Paul McLoughlin (Monaghan).
