An early goal from Daire O’Connor proved enough to see the Irish Colleges and Universities maintain a three year unbeaten record against the Scottish Universities in their latest meeting at Oriel Park.
O’Connor had the home side in front after ten minutes with a clinical finish from close in.
The UCD man stated the move himself when he linked up with Shane Day-Butz who went on to find Darragh Noone and he then played the ball into O’Connor’s path for the midfielder to fire past Callum Davison for the only goal of a closely fought game.
The Irish were the dominant side throughout and they create a couple of other chances to add to their total efforts. But Alan O’Sullivan, Shane Day-Butz and O’Connor all failed to find the target.
While Adrian Delap hit the base of the upright with another great chance.
The Scots always posed a treat in counter attacks and Robbie McGlade and Anton Dowds tested Matt Connor in the home goal but they failed to make the breakthrough and grab an equaliser.
Speaking after the game, Head Coach Greg Yelverton was delighted with how his side contained the away side. "It was the first time we've had this group in together. We had some regular faces mixed in with a lot of new inclusions. It was important for us that we could communicate the principles we set to achieve our objectives. This was the strongest Scotland squad that I have faced and it is a testament to the players that they executed the game plan to perfection and picked up the victory. The experience of being in the squad and picking up the key points was hugely positive and will be of great benefit when we prepare for the challenges against the Defence Forces and France."
Ireland: Matthew Connor (Lee Steacy 79); Shane Elworthy (Maurice Nugent 55), Sean O’Mahony, Ross Taheny (Liam Scales h-t), Conor Kane (Tristan Noack-Hofmann 61); Jonny Bonner, Darragh Noone (Jamie Hollywood 55); Shane Daly-Butz (Adrian Delap h-t), Daire O’Connor (Danny O’Connell 70), Jason McClelland (Conor Barry 61); Alan O’Sullivan (Shane Barnes 70).
Scotland: Callum Davidson (Alexander Cadzow 85); Calum Windram (Alexander Webb 83), Max Verkaik, Conor Morgan, Max Condie; Robbie McGale, Finn Daniels-Yeoman, Ross Kellock (Rafael Calbacho 60); Kieran Hall (Maksim Bolotov 72), Anton Dowds, Lewis Hunter (Embrik Skjaeveland 66).
Referee: J Dyas