UCD started the defence of their Colleges and Universities League crown with a 2-1 loss to DCU. UCD had much of the possession and chances but could not translate it into goals as DCU showed quite the opposite to take advantage of the opportunities they created.
UCD started the game brightly with Cillian Morrison putting a header just wide after great work from the overlapping Mark Langtry. Morrison's strike partner Samir Belhout was next to have a go at breaking the deadlock with a shot from a Tom O'Halloran cross well saved by the DCU number 1.
DCU worked their way into the game and worked the ball down the flank and into the box where Mark McGinley was eventually beaten. Ten minutes later DCU were two goals up. Another cross into the UCD box was not dealt with and a simple finish was applied to leave the Belfield Students trailing at the break.
UCD came out in the second half and took control of the game but again struggled to create any clear cut opportunities in the face of DCU's resolute defence.
Michael Whelan came off the bench as UCD changed formations to 4-2-4 to try and exert further pressure. This began to reap rewards as Belhout moved up the wing before swinging a ball into the box that was palmed by the keeper and Tom O'Halloran was there to fire home the rebound.
With their tails up UCD pressed for the goal to get them back into the game but it did not come. A strong penalty appeal that was waved away and a couple of half chances were all UCD could muster as they went down 2-1 to a stubborn DCU side.
UCD: McGinley, Fallon, Dent, David O'Connor, Langtry, Doyle, McCabe (Whelan), Creevy, O'Halloran (B O'Brolchain), Belhout, Morrison (McNelis)
