UCD 3 Sligo Rovers 0: Although delighted with his side's return to winning ways having suffered three consecutive defeats prior to Saturday's comprehensive victory, Pete Mahon could not but help reflect on what might have been over previous weeks.
"We're very happy with the win but, in fairness, it's still a very poor return from our recent matches," said the UCD manager after seeing his team dominate a Sligo Rovers side at odds with themselves from the outset.
"We've played well the last couple of weeks and, for example, were only beaten by the bounce of a ball against Shelbourne. Unfortunately now we've no match next week as our game with Longford is postponed and therefore there's no continuity and that makes it all the more difficult to build on."
Still, though, Mahon can use that extended time off to mull over the positives, of which there were many, from this performance against Sean Connor's men who are still searching for a win on the road.
To a man, the UCD players worked extraordinarily hard for one another, harrying and pressurising a Sligo side who, when in possession, frequently lost the run of themselves with sloppy passing and misdirected balls forward littering their play.
Indeed, their chances of leaving Dublin with any reward were irreversibly damaged just three minutes in when UCD defender Alan McNally rose unchallenged to steer home Darragh Ryan's corner kick.
Sligo had chances of their own but striker Darren Mansaram, who was later dismissed for a rash tackle on Conor Kenna, squandered perhaps their best opportunity when, having done the hard work, inexplicably blazed over from close range.
The home side then doubled their advantage and subsequently killed off the contest with two stunning, long range goals from winger Pat McWalter either side of half-time.
His first, after 28 minutes, was a sweet, rising shot from 25 yards after the Sligo defence failed to close him down as he galloped free in their half. But the 22-year-old saved his best for last when, with 17 minutes to play, he belted Ryan's rolled free high into John O'Hara's net from 30 yards.
UCD: Quigley; Mahon, Shortall, McNally, Kenna; McWalter, McDonnell, Dicker, Ryan; Sammon, Byrne. Subs: Hurley for Byrne (84), Doyle for Ryan (88).
Sligo Rovers: O'Hara; Peers, Burns, McNamara, Foy; Hughes, Turner, O'Grady, Kudozovic; Judge, Mansaram. Subs: McTiernan for Judge (39), McKenzie for McNamara (half-time), Flannery for Kudozovic (63). Booked: McTiernan (48). Sent-off: Mansaram (60).
Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin)
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