DUNGANNON - 30 UCD - 42: Any  lingering hopes of a late charge by Dungannon to the play-offs were banished with another crushing home defeat.

In sharp contrast, UCD, worthy victors at Stevenson Park, are now right in the mix, their five-try win lifting the students into third place in the table, one point ahead of Terenure and Garryowen.

It was a burst of scoring just after the break that secured victory for UCD against the champions, who have not won at home for three matches. The visitors had chalked up a useful 18-8 lead at the interval - with tries from Niall Breslin and Des Dillion - after playing with the benefit of a strong wind.

Dungannon had kept in touch with a Bryn Cunningham try from a superb break by Tyrone Howe and a Mark Bradley penalty. The deficit was not one that Dungannon would have been too concerned about, especially after putting together some slick moves.

But they had a disastrous opening to the second period, UCD striking twice in nine minutes with touchdowns from hooker David Blaney and winger Phil Bredin. Both were converted by Eoin Hickey, who landed a total of 17 points.

Dungannon prop Richard Mackey raised hopes when he was driven over from a rolling maul in the 54th minute, but within four minutes Peter Callanan extended the lead with UCD's fifth try.

To Dungannon's credit, they refused to give up even though the cause was now well and truly lost.

Willie Anderson turned to his bench for inspiration and found it in Ian Humphreys, who kicked superbly, while Andrew Hughes touched down twice in three minutes from driving mauls after Dillon had been sent to the sin-bin.

When Tony McWhirter went over with four minutes left, Dungannon were suddenly back in the game but UCD, showing great composure, hit back with a penalty by Hickey.

DUNGANNON: B Cunningham; J Cunningham, S Mallon, A Redpath, T Howe; M Bradley (I Humphreys 55 mins), J Turkington; J Fitzpatrick, N Brady, R Mackey (J Campbell 57), K Walker (A Hughes 59), T Barker, A Boyd, M Haslett, T McWhirter.

UCD: D O'Sullivan; P Bredin, M Colling, S Moore, P Hickey-Dwyer, E Hickey, B O'Riordan; M Venter, D Blaney, J Montgomery, N Breslin, P Callanan, P Shanley, N Coughlan, D Dillon.

Referee: D Tindall (Leinster).