Sport

UCD slip close to the danger zone

UCD moved uncomfotably close to the relegation play-off zone, when they were beaten 2-0 by Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds on…

Mon Feb 17 1997 - 00:00

UCD moved uncomfotably close to the relegation play-off zone, when they were beaten 2-0 by Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds on Saturday night.

Injury-hit Sligo were anxious to bounce back after last week's cup exit and showed far more urgency than the students in a generally lack-lustre contest.

It was Lee Thew, one of the men Sligo manager Jimmy Mullen drafted into his makeshift line-up, that provided the breakthrough in the 55th minute. A corner from Tony Kelly was only partially cleared and Thew pounced to slam the ball home through a crowded goalmouth.

UCD showed little imagination as an attacking force although they should have got on level terms in the 75th minute when Mick O'Byrne was taken down by Mark Hutchison. However, O'Byrne's poor penalty was easily saved by Nicky Broujos.

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Sligo clinched victory nine minutes from time when Johnny Kenny scored.

Kilkenny City yesterday went top of the First Division table for the first time this season, and only the second time in their history. Alfie Hale's side eventually overcame St Francis at Baldonnel in a game that was a virtual lottery due to the driving wind and rain.

The 2-0 scoreline scarcely did justice to St Francis who only fell away when their captain and goalkeeper, Gary Matthews, gifted Kilkenny's Pascal Keane the lead goal in the 72nd minute.

Two minutes later Keane set up substitute Alan Kelly for the second.

Galway's erratic form returned as they were held to a 1-1 draw at improving Monaghan.

Monaghan deserved their late equaliser when Ian Douglas finished off a move involving Derek Gough and Aaron Shearer eight minutes from time.

Galway had led from Fergal Coleman's 11th minute tap-in.

Cobh Ramblers maintained their steady climb up the table with a comfortable 3-0 defeat of free-falling Longford Town at St Colman's Park on Saturday night.

Rory O'Connor scored twice, setting Cobh on their way when shooting home the opening goal from Tony Izzi's pass after 12 minutes. Izzi then failed to give Cobh the cushion of a second goal two minutes before half-time when Longford goalkeeper, Anthony Keenan, saved his penalty after Tommy Butler had been fouled inside the area.

But O'Connor did eventually increase Cobh's lead on 71 minutes when diving low to head home Anthony Kenneally's cross for his spectacular second goal. Topscorer Izzi then scored his ninth of the season 10 minutes from time.