St Pat’s were held to a draw by a resolute and well-organised UCD, who frustrated the home side throughout, writes Mark Cummins.
Pat’s still looked the stronger outfit despite being without injury victims Joe O Cearuill, John Frost, Damien Lynch, David Partridge, Jamie Harris, Michael Keane and Joseph Ndo.
Noel Haverty made his first start for the home side, the only change from the eleven that beat Cork City on Monday.
UCD started with the same line-up that drew with Bohs last week, with Brian Shortall and Alan Mahon having overcome knocks.
A minutes’ silence was observed before the game in memory of Paul Magee, the former Shamrock Rovers and St Pat’s player and former RTÉ racing reporter, who died last weekend. His father, the RTÉ sports commentator Jimmy Magee, was present.
Pat’s had plenty of possession from the outset but came up against a spirited UCD slightly on the defensive side.
Gary O’Neill sent a cross into the box on 11 minutes but College’s Brian Shortall got in and cleared before Mark Quigley could get the vital touch.
Ryan Guy could have scored on 21 minutes when he collected a ball on the right, but his shot flew high and over the bar.
Dessie Byrne, Gary O’Neill and Gary Dempsey all had long range shots as the half progressed but none found the net.
The second period was not any better for the Saints as they were contained by a well-drilled UCD side.
Their first decent chance of the second period came on 58 minutes, when Quigley struck an excellent shot from the left drawing a fine save from Gregg.
On 65 minutes, Alan Kirby hit the crossbar with a close range shot from the right after Gregg got a hand to it.
However, the league leaders failed to find the breakthrough and the stubborn Students side held on for a deserved share of the spoils.
St Pat’s: Barry Ryan, Brennan, D Byrne, Kirby (Bobby Ryan 65), Fahey, O’Neill, Quigley, Dempsey, Haverty, Guy, Paisley.
UCD: Gregg, Mahon, Bermingham, Kenna, Shortall (Bolger h/t), King, Finn (Purcell 65), McNally, P Byrne, Doyle (Harding 77), McWalter.
Ref: D McKeon (Dub)
