UCD 0 Rovers 2

Rovers claim three vital points in Students new diggs...

The rain stayed away as the Hoops took to the new Belfield Bowl pitch and left with three vital points. Darren Stapleton started on the left and made a couple of good early runs that the home side had to defend well. Rovers were playing some good football in the early stages but couldn't get behind the home defence. Maguire found Stapleton in space on 15 minutes but his low cross was deflected through to keeper Gregg.

The Students had a good chance to open the scoring on 20 minutes when a low cross into the area beat Murphy but Flynn's block prevented a goal. A great run from Ger O'Brien three minutes later saw Purcell just fail to connect with his low cross in front of goal. Maguire found Amond with a header on 25 minutes but Gregg saved his shot.

Rovers took the lead in the 30th minute when Daragh Maguire went on a fine run from midfield into the box and his shot was only parried by Gregg but Purcell followed up to force the ball over the line. Gregg was called on again five minutes later to push Sean O'Connors cross to safety. The Students rallied towards the end of the half and caused the Hoops defence some difficulties but the Hoops went into the break with their lead intact.

Barry Murphy was called into action early in the second period to save a low shot from UCD's number seven. At the other end a Sean O'Connor cross was met by the head of Purcell but Gregg saved. Ger O'Brien went on another good run after 53 minutes but this time his cross was behind Purcell. Rovers doubled their lead in the 63rd minute when Sean O'Connors corner was met by the unmarked Amond at the back post and he duly hit the back of the net with a header.

The home side tried hard to get back into the game and their number nine was just off-target with a shot from outside the box after 68 minutes. Amond almost disposessed Gregg at the edge of the area on 71 minutes but the 'keeper finally cleared. Purcell tried his luck from distance but Gregg saved after 75 minutes.

Good defending from Price in the 76th minute denied the home side a clear shot on goal and the last action came when McGills corner was almost met by the head of Maguire with seven minutes remaining.