Shamrock Rovers 6 UCD 0:SHAMROCK ROVERS strode to a comprehensive victory against UCD at Tallaght Stadium last night, hitting the net six times in the second half, to ensure they continue to push ahead at the top of the Airtricity Premier Division table in tandem with Derry City.

Rovers dominated throughout and although UCD managed to frustrate Michael O’Neill’s men for more than an hour, the breakthrough, when it came, was devastating.

Rovers had created several chances in the opening period, Gary Twigg was denied by UCD ’keeper Ger Barron from just six yards out after 13 minutes, and then flashed a shot wide a minute later having snapped the ball off the toe of Craig Sives.

But the best chance of the half came after 38 minutes when a quick free from Stephen Rice was headed past his own ’keeper by Leahy, the ball trickling just wide of the students’ goal.

Rovers continued to dominate after the break and the opening goal came after 62 minutes.

Substitute Gary McCabe was the provider and the winger’s low cross was tucked firmly into the net from six yards out by Twigg.

Three minutes later, Dan Murray extended the Hoops’ lead, walloping home from close range after the visitors failed to clear a corner. Two minutes after that and the dam had well and truly burst as Billy Dennehy rifled home from the edge of the box after a pass across the UCD back line went astray.

There was no let-up from the Hoops as Gary O’Neill tucked a fourth home at the near post on 69 minutes and substitute Ciarán Kilduff bundled home a fifth after 84 minutes. To rub salt in the UCD wounds, sub Thomas Boyle put through his own net in added time.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Thompson; Sullivan, Sives, Murray, Stevens; Kelly (McCabe, 58), McCormack (Kilduff, 74), Rice, Dennehy (Moore, 70); Twigg, O’Neill.

UCD: Barron; Harding, Leahy, D O’Connor, Nangle; Belhout, Creevy (Ledwith, 68), Corry (Doyle, 82), P O’Conor, Marshall (Boyle, 68); Rusk. Attendance: 2,943.

Referee: P Tuite.