Sporting Fingal 1-0 UCD

Sporting Fingal overtook UCD in second place in the league table thanks to Alan Kirby’s winner at Morton Stadium on Friday night.

The game got off to a lively start as Gary O’Neill found himself straight through but he shot straight at Billy Brennan in the UCD goal.

UCD had their first chance of the game on 22 minutes when Ciaran Kilduff was freed on goal only to be stopped by an onrushing Darren Quigley.

The home side broke the deadlock on 35 minutes when UCD failed to clear the ball properly. O’Neill got a shot of but it was stopped by Brennan only for Alan Kirby to follow it up and give his side the lead.

Kirby’s goal sparked into life and they began to pressure the Students goal. Robert Bayly had an effort cleared of the line on the stroke of the break.

Fingal began to dominate the game early in the second half as Liam Buckley’s men looked to push on and add to Kirby’s goal.

UCD failed to challenge the Fingal defence throughout the second half as they battled to hold onto second place. The closest the visitors came was when John Reilly blasted over from the edge of the box.

Fingal held out and Buckley will be delighted that his side have climbed to second in the table behind Shelbourne.

Sporting Fingal: Darren Quigley, Brian Gannon, Lorcan Fitzgerald (John Frost 90mins), Shaun Williams, Shaun Maher, Stephen Paisley, Conan Byrne (Robbie Doyle 79mins), Robert Bayly, Gary O’Neill (Eamon Zayed 88mins), Alan Kirby, Shane McFaul Subs Not Used: Eric Foley, Chris Konopka
UCD: Billy Brennan, Brian Shortall, Ciaran Nangle (Paul Corry 78mins), Andy Boyle, Evan McMillan, Greg Bolger, David McMillan, Ronan Finn, Ciaran Kilduff (Timmy Purcell 55mins), Peter McMahon, John Reilly (Keith Ward 65mins) Subs Not Used: Michael Leahy, Ger Barrow
Referee: R Rogers.
Attendance: 623.