SSE Airtricity First Division: UCD 0 Cork City 0
Referees left it 10 minutes late to start proceedings at Belfield but Cork City never really got going over the subsequent 95 minutes.
Still, another point on the road, their third successive away draw, keeps the Rebels top, undefeated and very much in control of their flightpath to Premier Division redemption.
Few chances were created at either end here and not even the exuberance of Jaden Umeh, who had a late effort saved by Kian Moore, could have added a seventh win from their opening 10 matches.
Regardless of how meekly College were relegated last season, their history, prestige and resources means they’ll always be fancied to figure in the First Division promotion shake-up.
Sporting Director Diarmuid McNally was forthright enough last year to confess the top tier amid the rising tide of professionalism and wages wasn’t a long-term viability for their business model but the educational opportunities they provide, allied with access to world-class facilities on a daily basis at their Belfield campus, will also attract a certain profile of budding footballer.
Liam Scales is the topical exemplar of graduate. Four years ago, the current Ireland international and Champions League player for Celtic was lining up before a sparse crowd while combining his football with studies.
Other graduates are scattered around the league – including City’s returning double winner Greg Bolger – and irrespective whether this latest bunch succeed in navigating the latest of their several promotion tilts, it's probable some individuals will enjoy sustained careers at that level.
Ronan Finn plotted that path and has come full circle. Seven league medals were collected during stints at
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