Cats lose ninth life - January 29,
2001
UCD 1 Kilkenny City 0
When you are down, nothing goes right. Kilkenny City dominated this must-win match, missed an assload of first-half chances - including a penalty - and then lost everything to a late strike by substitute Robbie Martin.
It was clear that this is where Kilkenny had to make their last stand. A win would have hauled Finn Harps within four points and left UCD - eleven points away - just about visible through a telescope.
But you don't win games by missing the chances Kilkenny spurned yesterday and now the Cats can definitely start planning for life in the lower league. The Students are 17 points clear in the relegation play-off spot and won't be caught.
Carlos Rocha missed a gilt-edged chance right from the kick-off, but even worse was to follow on ten minutes. Paul McAreavey forced his way into the UCD box and those long Clive Delaney legs decided to intervene. Robbie Brunton took the responsibility but, though his spot kick was well enough struck, Barry Ryan made a brilliant save.
Kilkenny continued to create chances throughout the first half but just couldn't find that all-important opener.
UCD have had their own problems finding the net and, though they had the better of the second half, the Students didn't really look like scoring - until they scored!
Ciaran Martyn had already spurned a number of opportunities when young substitute Robert Martin showed him how it should be done with ten minutes to go. Ryan started it with a throw-out but Kevin Grogan injected vital pace before hitting an early angled cross which Martin finished with aplomb.
UCD: Ryan, Mahon, Delaney, McAuley, McLoughlin, J Martin, Martyn, Kavanagh, Grogan, Swan, Fitzpatrick
Subs: O'Donnell for J Martin 45, R Martin for Fitzpatrick 65
Goal: R Martin 81
Booked: Delaney
Kilkenny City: Nelson, Brennan, Wilkinson, Mulcahy, Brunton, Parkes, Johnston, Murphy, McAreavey, O'Byrne, Rocha
Subs: O'Neill for O'Byrne 78, Riordan for Wilkinson 85
Booked: McAreavey, Johnston, Murphy
Referee: I Stokes (Dublin)