Shane Griffin netted just before half time to secure Shelbourne a 1-0 win over UCD this evening.

The hosts took the lead on the stroke of half time through a Shane Griffin strike, and never looked back as they swept aside a poor UCD side.

The First Half lacked any real quality from both sides, who struggled to settle into their rhythm for much of the half. Shelbourne started brightly however, and forced two early corners, but UCD were able to deal with the danger comfortably, learning their lesson from Monday’s loss to Dundalk.

Shels repeatedly targeted UCD’s left hand side of Jessie Dempsey and Daniel Norris, who were often disconnected due to the winger desire to hold a more attacking position. Norris was busy throughout the half, as UCD looked to build their attack through his channel also, the ball continuously sent long down his side.

It was from the other flank though that UCD produced their best football, with Ciaran Behan and Evan Osam linking up nicely and proving a real handful for the Shels defence. In the 18^th minute, Behan weaved his way through the left-hand side of the Shels defence and was able to get a shot off from 35 yards. His effort proved tricky for Shels goalkeeper Conor Kearns to deal with, as he was forced to conede a corner following a fumbled save.

From there, UCD started to grow into the game, but their decision making let them down at times. Shels did well to limit the students’ chances in the half and responded to the pressure with their best spell of the game. Shels found themselves in a dangerous position around the edge of the UCD box and managed to create an overlap at the back post. Shels captain Shane Griffin was left with time and space just inside the box as he then powered the ball past UCD goalkeeper Kian Moore at his near post.

UCD almost produced an instant response, as a shot from the edge of the box was fumbled by Conor Kearns into the path of Danu Kinsella Bishop. The striker produced a reflex attempt that sailed wide of the goal, much to the disbelief of the crowd. Head in hands, Kinsella-Bishop knew this was a huge opportunity for the students to draw level.

Shelbourne started the second half with a furious intensity, spurred on by manager Damien Duff on the side-line. They settled into a flow early on and dominated possession in the opening ten minutes of the half as they looked to put the game beyond the students.

A Jack Moylan header forced an excellent save from Kian Moore to keep the deficit to just one, the keeper reacting brilliantly at point blank range. Shels continued to pile the pressure on the visitors, who were beginning to feel the wrath of the hostile home crowd. In the 75^th minute, a brilliant header from substitute Kyle Robinson struck the inside of the post and was just inches away from crossing the white paint. Minutes later, Robinson came close again with a strike from close range but was denied by the robust Moore. Moore played well to keep UCD somewhat in the tie, but it was not to be.

Shels showed a real hunger and desire in the second half to control their lead and win the game comfortably, extending their unbeaten run to seven games now. For bottom of the table UCD, it’s another defeat, making it their tenth of the season.