UCD 2-16
DCU 1-14
DCU failed to get their Fitzgibbon campaign back on track after a 5 point defeat to city rivals UCD.
After a disappointing opening round defeat to Cork IT, DCU made the difficult trip to Belfield to face a UCD side in a fine run form.
Having come off the back of a resounding 17-point win over St.Pats in their inaugural game of the 2015 campaign, the Southsiders entered last Thursdays encounter with high expectations.
The home side made the best of the opening exchanges, surging to a two point lead in the opening ten minutes.
UCD’s Ross King looked particularly dangerous in the full forward line, moving into space and feeding the on-rushing half forward line. The Laois native was a picture of composure, slotting over two frees to bring his side in at the break leading by a point.
DCU remained in contention and will have considered themselves fortunate that the home side’s wayward shooting was a large factor in a flattering score line.
With only 6 minutes gone in the second half, UCD dealt the first major blow of the afternoon.
Jack O’Connor’s free rebounded off the bar and the ball dropped to the feet who Oisin O’Ruairc, who duly dispatched.
O’Ruairc looked lively all afternoon, slotting over the bar shortly after and his physicality made life hard for the DCU full back line.
Donal Breathnach urged DCU forward with two quick-fire points limiting the damage of the goal.
Nicky English would have been pleased with his side’s ruthlessness in the second half and it wasn’t long after that UCD put the game to bed.
With the score 1-12 to 0-10, the Southsiders put together the move of the game.
A quickly taken sideline ball by Joe Lyng found Oisin O’Ruairc rushing into space. O’Ruairc carried with pace and instead of taking his point, slipped a hand pass into Colm O’Cronin who found the back of the net from close range.
With the lead then eight points, it was hard to see how DCU would get back into game. A well taken goal from the industrious Kevin O’Flynn five minutes from time wasn’t enough to avoid a second defeat for the Glasnevin side.
A well-deserved victory for the home side but Nick Weir will take some positives from the defeat. DCU will be hoping to finish the competition with at least one scalp, that of local rivals St Pats.
Cian Roche
Image Credit: Sportsfile
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