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Derry frustrated by UCD in Belfield Park

Friday 25th May 2007, 9:44 pm

Kevin McHugh celebrates after opening the scoring.

Photo by Tom Carey.

Derry City were frustrated on their trip to Belfield Park tonight. Their game against UCD in the Premier Division of the eircom League of Ireland finished 1-1.

Kevin McHugh had magnificently fired Derry ahead after 15 minutes but
UCD levelled in stoppage time at the end of the first half when Alan McNally stabbed home a loose ball.

Derry were much improved on recent performances with Tony Gorman in charge on the bench. However, caretaker player-boss Peter Hutton was most definitely calling the shots.

An even and tame enough start to the game saw a deflection off McNally threaten to cause College keeper Matt Gregg problems.

Alan McNally celebrates with Paul Byrne after levelling.

Photo by Tom Carey.

Paul Byrne dragged a shot wide at the other end after a strong run through. The UCD striker was a thorn in Derry sides whenever the home side were able to get the ball forward, although he took that too literally when a late kick at Darren Kelly saw him booked.

A wonderful piece of magic from McHugh, surely the man of the match, saw him take full advantage as the UCD defence allowed him plenty of space and time. McHugh set himself to fire away an almost perfect shot and a helpful flick off the upright saw Derry go ahead.

UCD almost responded instantly with Paul Byrne flicking a header just wide within sixty seconds.

Gareth McGlynn deserved better after a wonderful move down the right wing. His quick one-two sent him in on Gregg but the Derry man sent his shot wide across the face of goal.

Matt Gregg punches clear from Darren Kelly and Peter Hutton in a packed goal-mouth.

Photo by Tom Carey.

Just after the mid-point of the half, Paul Byrne was again causing problems. His snapshot forced a save from Pat Jennings after Ruairdhri Higgins cut the ball back.

Paul Byrne was again causing problems before Conan Byrne forced Jennings to save at full stretch following a speculative driven shot high across the face of goal.

Peter Hynes had been preferred to Mark Farren in the Derry starting eleven but didn't miss the target by much as half-time approached.

Derry just couldn't hold out for a half-time lead. UCD managed to keep the ball alive in injury time and McNally got in to guide a loose ball home to make it 1-1 at the break.

Paul Byrne tries to get away from Derry's Peter Hutton and Eddie McCallion.

Photo by Tom Carey.

Derry resisted any changes at the break and indeed didn't make a change until inside the last ten minutes.

Derry were definitely looking the side more likely in the second half but UCD showed great resilience to stay in the game. McHugh could have grabbed himself a hat-trick but even a second proved elusive.

McHugh fired over after cutting inside and fired a shot just wide after shooting across goal minutes later.

Had there been a bigger attendance then maybe shouts for a penalty would have been much louder after the hour when the ball appeared to rebound off Shane McFaul's arm.

McHugh's frustration grew midway through the second half. He hammered a shot against Gregg's upright following a superb shot. Amazingly though, the following in McGlynn missed the target with the goal gaping.

Killian Brennan drilled a low shot just wide as Derry remained on top.

However, UCD were still holding things together and Paul Crowley missed at the back post following a corner kick.

Killian Brennan gets the better of Conan Byrne in midfield.

Photo by Tom Carey.

Ian Bermingham also had a volley saved as Derry appeared to run out of steam a little.

Paul Byrne was wasteful in a good position while Mark Farren forced a save with his first touch following his late arrival.

The final whistle arrived and Derry had failed to win yet again. However, there was plenty to admire in the Derry performance. Whether their hopes of a title challenge are already gone remains to be seen but they still have plenty of quality in the squad.

UCD : Gregg, Mahon, Bermingham, Kenna, McNally (Shorthall 49), Crowley, C Byrne, McFaul, Doyle (Purcell 87), P Byrne (Forsyth 90 +3), Sammon.
Derry City : Jennings, McCallion, Rogers, Hutton, Kelly, Molloy, McGlynn, Higgins, Brennan, McHugh, Hynes (Farren 84).