Shamrock Rovers - 2 UCD - 0 A forceful display of attacking football in the opening 45 minutes allowed Shamrock Rovers forget about their off-field problems, for the night at least, as they pulled away from the lower regions of the table.
It has been far from an enjoyable season for either club. UCD, who are gradually becoming a speck in the distance to the rest of the Eircom Premiership, have lost their manager Paul Doolin to Drogheda United. New boss Pete Mahon's return to this level after a two-year break, albeit a successful one with Belgrove, isn't in exactly ideal circumstances.
For Rovers things aren't much better. Due to events attributed to their fans after the league match against Bohemians the Inchicore residences ensured they became homeless last week. Their new ground, for this week, isn't exactly what they have come to expect during their time at Richmond Park. An hour before kick-off there were more stewards than fans at Belfield Park.
UCD has never thrived on a powerful fan base - unlike Rovers - it was always more about player development. In that regard Mahon's past experience with St Francis, and more recently when he steered Belgrove to the FAI Intermediate Cup, make him an ideal replacement for Doolin. However, last night it never clicked as Rovers dictated the play from start to finish.
Their supporters turned up, along with the now mandatory Garda presence, but a noticeable absentee was suspended top scorer Trevor Molloy. Glenn Fitzpatrick just edged out on loan striker, from Drogheda United, Gary Haylock for the starting berth up front.
The pressure on UCD was intense from the off with Tony Grant and a James Keddy header both going wide before Fitzpatrick repaid Buckley's faith in him with the opener after 21 minutes. The student's goalkeeper Pat Jennings was unable to hold a Stephen Grant centre from the right leaving the former UCD player with the simplest of tap-ins.
Things got far worse before the break when full back Hugh Davey was shown a straight red card by referee Jim O'Neill for a challenge on Trevor Croly.
The second-half was a lethargic affair with 10-men UCD never really looking capable of snatching a draw. The final nail in the coffin arrived on 73 minutes when the ever dangerous Fitzpatrick laid off to Tony Grant who buried to the net in style.
Off the pitch Rovers' problems continue but chairman Tony Maguire last night confirmed they were "close to a resolution" regarding a new home venue.
"We formally requested the use of Tolka Park and the Shelbourne board are discussing the situation this evening. said Maguire. "They haven't been as openly receptive as we would like but we hope the financial realities that exist at present in the Eircom league will help our situation. We paid St Patrick's Athletic a lot of money for the use of Richmond Park and are willing to meet those levels."
Their plight is becoming more serious as they need a home ground by next week's clash with Cork City. A decision is expected today regarding the ground sharing between the clubs but Maguire is aware the final say isn't going to come from the Shels executive: "It is a bit of a no-win situation for them. Would you want us in your home at present? The problems we bring means we are seen as a problem by the local residents."
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Ryan; Croly, Doyle, Palmer, McGuinness, S Grant, Colwell, Boughanem, T Grant, Fitzpatrick, Keddy.
UCD: Jennings; Donnelly, Davey, McAuley, McNally, Martin, Gaffney (Colfer 73 mins), O'Donnell, Griffin, Rooney (Leech 82 mins), Cawley.
Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford).
