Shels shift up a gear - December 16, 2000
Shelbourne 3 UCD 1
Champions Shelbourne have imperceptibly cranked up the pace in the Eircom Premier title race and this latest win leaves them suddenly six points clear of panting Bohemians.
It was all over by half time, after goals by Jim Crawford and the Baker brothers left UCD with a mountain to climb.
Dessie Baker started it, following up Richie Foran's parried shot to score after just five minutes.
The Students survived a battering for the next ten minutes and got back on terms against the run of play when Kevin Grogan struck from 25 yards.
But on the half hour, ex-Magpie Crawford showed that he too had brought his shooting boots, firing home from outside the box.
Richie Foran ballooned over after being set up by Richie Baker - so the winger took matters into his own hands, heading home from brother Dessie's cross a couple of minutes before the break.
UCD came out fighting in the second half but, though they created a number of chances, they lacked the finishing power to make them pay.
Shelbourne: Williams, Heary, D Geoghegan, McCarthy, Hutchison, Scully, D Baker, Fenlon, Foran, Crawford, R Baker
Subs: S Geoghegan for Foran 66, Keddy for Hutchison 78
Goals: D Baker 5, Crawford 31, R Baker 43
UCD: Ryan, McLaughlin, Delaney, McAuley, D Ryan, Kavanagh, Lynch, McDonnell, O'Donnell, Grogan, Bennis
Subs: Quinn for McAuley 58, Mahon for O'Donnell 58
Goal: Grogan 18
Booked: McLaughlin
Referee: D O'Hanlon (Waterford)