UCD 0 Shelbourne 1

Sunday was a day of Dublin derbies and both games went to the away teams. Shelbourne won by a narrow squeak at Belfield against UCD with a single goal from the much talked-about Richie Foran.

After a shaky start to the defence of their league title Shels have picked up the pace a little and now sit proudly on the top of the table.

Manager Dermot Keely will be hoping that they can remain there until the end but, if they manage it, it will be more than likely with the services of Foran.

The striker only took five minutes to influence proceedings at Belfield. Steve Williams launched the ball downfield and the bounce confused the UCD defence which left Richie Baker free to run behind the back four before squaring to Foran, who had the easy task of tapping the ball into the net.

UCD called for offside but it was all in vain as there was no flag and the goal stood. Shels are the masters at holding onto a one-goal lead and so it proved again as UCD made all the running for the remaining 85 minutes without any reward.

"It's another 1-0 win for Shelbourne," said UCD boss Martin Moran. "Good luck to them. They are very professional and Steve Williams was excellent. But their goal was so offside it was a joke."

UCD: Ryan; Mahon, Delaney, McAuley, McLoughlin; Martin, Kavanagh, Grogan, O'Donnell; Kilmurray, Bennis.
Subs: O'Byrne for Kilmurray 69; Ryan for O'Donnell 69; McDonnell for Mahon 85.

Shelbourne: Williams; Heary, Scully, McCarthy, Hutchison; Byrne, Doolin, Fenlon; R. Baker, Foran, Keddy.
Subs: S. Geoghegan for Foran 46; Prizeman for Byrne 46; D. Baker for Doolin 66.
Goal: Foran 5.
Booked: Fenlon 71, Keddy 72.

Referee: J. Stacey (Athlone).