UCD, having only scored one goal, against Bray, in their last five games were always going to struggle to hit the onion bag against a Sporting Fingal side aiming for the League summit and continuing a run of eight league games unbeaten since losing on the opening day to Bohemians. The goalless scoreline in this match does not reflect the number of chances both sides created and squandered. Profligacy in front of goal was the recurring nightmare for each trio of strikers.
Lining up in identical 4-3-3 formations deterred both teams from a passing game as the were matched man for man in centre field, in truth the surface must have also been a deciding factor, as both sides opted for aerial attacks, the home side playing searching balls in the space behind the Fingal back four while the visitors were working off knock downs from Eamonn Zayed and Gary O'Neill
After both sides adjusted to a pitch low in moisture (and high in bobbles and bumps) a flurry of chances ensued early in the first half. Evan McMillan was the first to test Darren Quigley while at the other end, Alan Kirby badly misplaced a chipped effort.
Soon after, Gary O'Neill, turned on a sixpence only to have his shot well blocked by Brian Shortall. From the corner, the ball was worked to former UCD captain Ronan Finn whose low shot flashed narrowly wide. Up the other end Chris Mulhall played an inch perfect ball to David McMillan, but the winger could not round the 'keeper and the chance was lost.
From that point college grew in stature giving the influential Shane McFaul no time to settle the visitors tempo, McMillan then returned the favour for Mulhall with a whipped cross from the right, but the wingers glancing header was wide and out of reach of the lunging Ciaran Kilduff.
Kilduff was lunging again minutes later when he latched onto Peter McMahon's ball clipped behind Kenny Browne, but Dublin 4's leading marksman could only reach it with a toe and the ball sailed wide.
McMahon, along with Greg Bolger were the dominant force in midfield, full of running and passing in search of their pacey front three. But Sporting held firm and steadied the flow unitl half time, but the result was a succession of lofted passes from the back which were capably dealt with by Billy Brennan and his back four.
The second half flowed much the same as the first, with both sides creating plenty of chance's but failing to hold possession for any length of time. The away support grew in voice as the white jerseys had the better of the territory but wasted chances were beginning to look ominous.
O'Neill had the best of these opportunities, a free header after a fine cross from Conan Byrne on the right flank, the effort flew over the bar. Zayed too had a chance to break the deadlock but his last act of the game was to sidefoot wide with a goal seemingly inevitable.
Liam Buckley replaced the ex-Drog on the hour with master finisher Glen Crowe but the former Bohemian's poacher never found himself in possession and facing goal. Shorn of Zayed's athleticism on the left flank Sporting began to inch backways and created few more clear chances, although Byrne ensured crosses kept floating in from the right.
With the clock ticking down Dwayne Wilson broke for the home side on a counter attack, he cut back expertly and played the ball to Mulhall who, continuing the theme of the night, angled his right footed shot over the bar.
The Students have now gone four games without a goal, while gaining plaudits for their style of play, Martin Russell is surely aware of the need for a cutting edge. Fingal are now nine unbeaten in all competitions after the questionable penalty they conceded at Dalymount on day one.
UCD: Billy Brennan, Brian Shortall, Andy Boyle, Evan McMillan, Ciaran Nangle, Greg Bolger, Peter McMahon (for Stephen Roche '90), Paul Corry, Chris Mulhall, David McMillan (for Dwayne Wilson '76), Ciaran Kilduff (for Graham Rusk '83).
Substitutes not used: Sean Harding, Ger Baron.
Sporting Fingal: Darren Quigley, Ger O'Brien, Shaun Maher, Kenny Browne, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Conan Byrne, Shane McFaul, Ronan Finn, Alan Kirby (for Shaun Williams '83), Gary O'Neill, Eamonn Zayed (for Glen Crowe '60).
Substitutes not used: Brian Gannon, Brendan Clarke, Keith Quinn.
Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin)
Attendance: 345
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