Collie O'Neill: "We're just lacking that ruthless streak in both boxes and that costs you points overall"

With additional reporting from Dave Donnelly

UCD boss Collie O’Neill admits his need to become more ruthless if they are to start climbing their way out of trouble at the foot of the table.

The Students were bested by two goals on Friday evening at home to Derry City after taking the lead through Sam Byrne on the half-hour mark.

Ex-Student Conor Davis and David Parkhouse made sure of the victory late on as the Candystripes were made to work for their win.

“Defensively I think we set up again to try and stifle them,” O’Neill told extratime.ie. “We knew about the kind of players they have and what they can do.

“They like to get the ball wide and cross it into the box and we dealt with it for the most part.

“It’s only when they bring on their two little magic players in Conor Davis and McNamee that we got punished. They’re the ones that can hurt you and they both linked up well for the goal.”

With many chances going by the wayside in both attack and defence for the Premier Division’s basement battlers, O’Neill noted his frustration after the game while also remaining positive for the long-term.

“They’re the chances that other sides take and then they don’t look back. We’re just lacking that ruthless streak in both boxes and that costs you points overall.

“We go again. The basic readings are there for a good side, but it just takes time to gel it together.



“The new guys need to know how we like to play and be a bit more possession based. They’ve grown into it however, they’ve accepted it.

“I thought Sam’s hold up play was really good, Liam (Kerrigan) has been very energetic, he’s given us something extra going forward, so things are looking bright for the long-term.”