Roy O’Donovan scored Cork City’s opening goal of the season to give the southerners their first win of the season with a 1-0 victory over UCD at Belfield.
The Under-21 international fired the only goal of the game on the stroke of half-time after a first period that had been controlled by the visitors.
Returning striker John O’Flynn missed a trio of chances to make it a more comfortable margin of victory, which almost allowed UCD snatch a point as they rallied in the second half.
UCD offered plenty of effort after the break but were unable to breakdown the Cork defence and when they did, goalkeeper Mick Devine was in fine form.
Admir Softic tested Darren Quigley early on with a 25-yard effort at the end of a run from his own half. Joe Gamble also warmed Quigley’s palms with a well-struck effort on eight minutes.
Cork should have gone in front on 22 minutes as Darragh Ryan’s ball caught out the home defence but O’Flynn fired over after O’ Donovan had flicked inside.
The Students’ most lively player, Conan Byrne, had their opening effort of the half when he cut inside former team-mate Darragh Ryan but his shot went harmlessly over Devine’s crossbar.
Quigley was called upon again in the 25th minute when he kept out an O’Flynn volley with his legs.
The industry of Gamble and the guile of O’Flynn and Softic gave Cork the platform from which to dominate the first half.
UCD would have been happy going in at the break level but the otherwise quiet O’Donovan showed the sharpness that has attracted cross-channel interest as he fired his side’s first goal in the league with the last kick of the half.
The striker was put through by Softic and curled the ball past the advancing Quigley.
UCD almost got back on level terms on 54 minutes but Devine came to his side’s rescue with a diving save to beat away Alan Mahon’s free-kick. Devine then kept out a header from Conor Sammon as the home side began to gather momentum.
Students skipper Alan McNally wasted their best chance on the hour mark. A Conan Byrne free found its way to an unmarked McNally at the back post but the centre-half scuffed his shot across goal.
The Students continued to dictate the game as the half wore on with Cork seemingly content to sit back on their lead. However, despite their territorial advantage it was Cork who should have scored next and put the result beyond doubt.
O’Flynn was the guilty party once again when he put a header over the bar from eight yards as Darragh Ryan’s corner found him unmarked at the back post.
Despite further pressure from the Students in the closing minutes, Cork held on to register their first three points of the season.
UCD: Quigley, Mahon, Kenna, McMillan, McNally, McFaul (Bolger ’86), C Byrne, Finn (King ’86), P Byrne (Opera ’76), Sammon, Doyle. Subs not used: Gregg, Gallagher.
Cork City: Devine, Horgan, Ryan, Murray, Kelly (Cathal Lordan h/t), Murray, Softic, Gamble, Cillian Lordan, Woods, O’Flynn (Behan ’90), O’Donovan. Subs not used: McNulty, O’Brien, Lally.
Referee: D Hancock
