Shamrock Rovers 2-0 UCD
Monday, 16 July 2007 22:14Gerard Rowe and Tadhg Purcell proved that they're the most productive front two in the Premier Division as they both scored again to make it 16 goals between them this season as Pat Scully's Hoops extended their unbeaten league run to eight matches.
Rovers only shaded the first half of a very competitive match with Rowe having a shot partially saved by Matt Gregg and cleared off the line by Alan Mahon on 16 minutes.
The pace and trickery of Shane Fitzgerald allowed UCD counterattack dangerously. The little winger shot narrowly wide before setting up substitute Darren Forsyth to bring a save out of Barry Murphy.
But Rovers got the breakthrough eight minutes into the second half as UCD failed to defend David Tyrrell's corner giving Rowe an easy header to the net, his third goal in successive matches and sixth for the season.
UCD remained a threat, though, and Murphy had to make an important save from Forsyth on 64 minutes.
Further negligent defending cost UCD dearly on 70 minutes, though, as Purcell was unmarked to head home Ger O'Brien's corner - his tenth league goal.
The win moves Rovers back to within two points of second placed St Patrick's Athletic who visit Tolka Park for a mouth-watering Dublin derby next Monday night.
Shamrock Rovers: Murphy; G. O'Brien, Danny O'Connor, Ferguson, Pender; Martin (E. McGill, 48 mins.), Reynolds (Lawrence, 52 mins.), D. McGill, Tyrrell; Rowe, Purcell (Myler, 73 mns.).
UCD: Gregg; Mahon, McNally, Kenna, Bermingham; Fitzgerald (Doyle, 70) Finn, McFaul, C. Byrne (McDonnell, 86 mins.); P. Byrne (Forsyth, 22 mins.), Sammon.
Referee: Damien Hancock (Dublin).
