UCD got their first points on the board and recorded their first win at the RSC in five years when they proved too strong for a lack-lustre Waterford United by winning 1-0.
After going within a whisker of scoring on several occasions, UCD finally opened their account during time added on in the first half. Alan Cawley took a corner from the left and the ball was headed back across the goal by Paul Byrne before centre-half Brian Shortall headed home from close range.
United’s woes were compounded five minutes from time when Chris Deans was sent off for an off the ball foul on Conor Kenna.
UCD enjoyed the best of the exchanges in the first half and could have been further ahead at the break.
Although United’s performance improved, UCD's dominance continued after the restart and, on the 56 and 60 minutes, Shortall and Conor Kenna shaved the woodwork from corners floated over by Cawley.
In the first half, an Alan Cawley cross from the left after only 2 minutes was headed narrowly wide by Conor Sammon who out-jumped the defence while, on 9 minutes, Byrne saw his effort from a Sammon flick-on saved at the near post by Blues goalkeeper Jimmy Fyfe.
United were fortunate to survive a 23 minute goalmouth melee following a corner from the left by Cawley. Kenna made contact but although Fyfe saved on the ground, he couldn’t hold possession and the ball bobbled dangerously about the penalty area before being booted away to safety.
United's Andrew Polewczak tried to lob the visitors' goalkeeper, Darren Quigley, on 7 minutes and 4 minutes before the break Darryl Kavanagh played a tantalising ball through for Ian Byrne but he shot harmlessly from 20 yards when he could have carried the ball further goalwards.
