UCD 0
Galway United 1

It has taken eleven games, but a second half strike from Derek Glynn gave Galway United their first victory of the season against UCD at the Belfield Bowl on Friday night.

Jeff Kenna. Photo: Declan Monaghan.

United remain rooted to the bottom of the table despite the victory, but have brought themselves back into contention with a hard earned win.

The winner arrived for United in the 51st minute. Glynn managed to get on the end of a long clearance from Gary Rogers, broke clear of the defence and cut in from the right wing. He turned the centre back inside out and slipped the ball coolly into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area.

The Tribesmen did not have it all their own way, as UCD had numerous chances to grasp an equaliser, most notably from Ronan Finn, who should have scored on two separate occasions.

After a tentative start from both sides, the home team carved out the only real chance of note in the first half. Brian King's spectacular overhead kick forced Rogers into a full length finger tip save and ensured the sides went in all square at half time.

United had a superb chance through Jay O'Shea to make certain of the win, with only ten minutes remaining. John Russell fed him the ball from deep and the former Bray Wanderers winger beat his full back, but the students' goalkeeper Matt Gregg somehow managed to keep out the goal bound shot. In truth O'Shea should have sealed the win but he can be forgiven on this occasion after showing some fine form of late.

The hosts had some great opportunities late on to grab a share of the spoils. Finn should have scored on the back post but Rogers saved well with his feet and again from Paul Byrne in injury time. Jeff Kenna will be delighted to register his first league victory as manager and the team will travel to Dalymount Park on Friday, to face Bohemians on the back of a fine run of form. Confidence will be high and they have every chance of coming away from the capital with another good result.

UCD: Gregg; Mahon, McNally, Kenna (McMillan, 9), Bermingham; Reilly (Bolger, 80), Finn, King, Doyle (Purcel, 46); Byrne, McWalter.

Galway United: Rogers; Nooitmeer, Charles, Fitzgerald, McCullough; O'Shea, Russell, Deegan, O'Brien (Fenn, 87); Leech (O'Flynn, 90.), Glynn.

Referee: A. Kelly (Cork).

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