UCD recorded their first win of the 2007 eircom League of Ireland season with a resounding 3-0 win over a very poor Waterford United at Belfield Park.
Conan Byrne scored the first on 25 minutes when he knocked a delightful header past Blues 'keeper Dean Delaney, while number two came on 31 minutes when Paul Byrne slotted past Delaney from the left of the box. Paul Byrne then netted a 25-yarder on 88 minutes.
College boss Pete Mahon again chose goalkeeper Matt Gregg ahead of Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Darren Quigley, and the former Bohs player was called into action in the tenth minute when an Evan McMillan gaff allowed Paul McCarthy in. Gregg saw the danger just in time and dashed out of his goal to nick the ball off McCarthy’s toe.
Conan Byrne made an intelligent run down the right wing but was upended by Alan Keely before he could make the cross. Keely was yellow carded for the cynical challenge.
Waterford went close on 21 minutes when McCarthy got a decent shot in but Alan McNally got back to clear off the line with Gregg stranded.
College were on top at this stage and took the lead on 25 minutes.
Conan Byrne’s bicycle kick was tipped away by Delaney, and the same player knocked a delightful header past Delaney from the resulting corner.
It was 2-0 just six minutes later when Paul Byrne slotted past Delaney from the left of the box after good build up work by Tim Purcell and Bogdan Oprea.
Conan Byrne had a gilt-edged opportunity to put the game beyond doubt on 48 minutes when he made a run from inside his own half right into the Waterford box, evading four tackles along the way. With plenty of options available, Byrne instead chose to shoot himself but struck a fairly tame shot directly at Delaney.
Waterford boss Gareth Cronin made several changes in the second period, bringing on three subs and changing his formation, but ultimately, their only contribution was several dirty tackles from Alan Mulcahy and Alan Reynolds.
Paul Byrne then wrapped up the scoring with a 25-yarder on 88 minutes.
UCD: Gregg, Mahon (Bermingham 89), McMillan, Kenna, McNally, Crowley (King 89), C Byrne, Finn, P Byrne, Purcell, Oprea (Doyle 42).
Waterford United: Delaney, Scully, Flynn, Keely (Bruton h/t), Breen, Reynolds, Mulcahy, McCarthy, Sullivan (Kavanagh 72),Warren (Cooling 56), Brosnan.
Referee: Hugo Whoriskey (Meath).
