UCD 3
Galway United 0
Tuesday May 10 2011
UCD left their seven-goal drubbing at the hands of Derry City last Friday firmly behind them, as they easily disposed of a struggling Galway United side at the Belfield Bowl last night to register their third home success on the trot.
UCD were firmly in control early on, but the only chance they had to show for their efforts was an opening-minute free-kick from Paul Corry, which was parried away by Galway custodian Greg Fleming.
They almost paid the ultimate price on 24 minutes when a defensive mix-up by Yael Haro and David O’Connor presented Stephen Walsh with a free run on goal, but Walsh dragged his shot wide of the left-hand post.
UCD took the lead on 34 minutes when Dean Marshall dispatched a penalty after Fleming had dragged down the onrushing Samir Belhout, and they doubled their lead on 38 minutes when Darren Meenan powerfully headed home a Marshall delivery from the left.
Two goals to the good heading into the second period, UCD continued to dominate after the resumption. Though Steve Feeney went close with a header from a corner on 64 minutes, the game was put beyond any doubt when the elusive Belhout finished from close in after an inch-perfect cross from the right wing by Meenan.
The win ensured that Martin Russell’s side opened up a nine-point gap between themselves and second-bottom Galway, who were on the receiving end of a sixth straight league defeat.
UCD — Barron; O’Conor, Haro, O’Connor, Ledwith; Marshall, Corry, Creevy (Russell 14), Meenan; Rusk (Kavanagh 86), Belhout (Doyle 78).
Galway United — Fleming; Shaun Kelly, Sinott, Feeney (Curran 70), Eduardo (Gartland 18); Ryan, Sean Kelly, G Kelly, Moore (Keogh 56), Walsh; Murphy.
REF — P McLaughlin (Monaghan).
Irish Independent