Saints hold final advantage - January 25,
2001
St. Patrick's Athletic 3 UCD 1
Goal-shy UCD took just four minutes to find the net at Richmond Park in last night's League Cup final first leg - but that was to be their only joy on the night as the Saints recovered to carve out a decisive advantage.
St. Pat's had barely touched the ball when Ciaran Martyn got on the end of a flowing move to fire UCD in front. But if the Students' one-goal-from-one-chance strike rate was uncharacteristic, so too was their attack of defensive jitters.
Ger McCarthy went close to equalising from the restart - and within four minutes he made good his threat, applying the final touch to Robbie Griffin's goal-bound header.
Eight minutes later, the Saints were ahead. Colm Foley, up for Martin Russell's free kick, powered in a header that was parried by Ryan and then stuck away the rebound.
Pat's continued to threaten but UCD held out until half time, despite losing skipper Tony McDonnell through injury.
The crucial moment came five minutes into the second half. Ciaran Martyn, played in by Derek Swan, hit the post and St. Pat's swept the ball down field for McCarthy to score his second - heading home after a a brilliant piece of skill from Robbie Griffin.
Eoin Bennis went close to pulling one back for UCD but it didn't happen and the Students were left with a mountain to climb in next week's second leg at Belfield.
St. Patrick's Athletic: Kelly, Croly, Foley, S McGuinness, Burke, R McGuinness, Osam, Griffin, Russell, McCarthy, Kelly
Subs: Mbabazi for Osam 45, Harris for McGuinness 82
Goals: McCarthy 8, 50, Foley 16
UCD: Ryan, Mahon, McDonnell, Delaney, McLoughlin, Martin, Kavanagh, Martyn, Grogan, Fitzpatrick, Swan
Subs: McAuley for McDonnell 28, Bennis for Swan 72
Goal: Martyn 4
Referee: D O'Hanlon (Waterford)