UCD 3 Dundalk 0:FRESH from Monday's impressive display in beating Bohemians, UCD oozed confidence as they equalled their biggest win of the season.
The victory all the sweeter as it avenged three defeats to Dundalk earlier in the campaign.
Ex-College midfielder Greg Bolger twice came close to scoring before UCD deservedly took the lead after 35 minutes. Dean Marshall crossed and central defender David O’Connor scored with a downward header at the back post.
Four minutes later UCD doubled their lead with a truly sublime goal. Marshall put right back Hugh Douglas away on the overlap and his cross was controlled and drilled to the bottom corner by midfielder Paul O’Conor.
Dundalk almost pulled a goal back after 54 minutes when David O’Connor headed Ross Gaynor’s corner off his own goalkeeper Mark McGinley. Gaynor then should have done better than shoot wide when clean through.
But UCD regained the initiative to finish with a flourish. Substitute Chris Lyons added a third goal on 77 minutes.
Dean Clarke, on for his debut, whipped the ball in low from the right and Lyons slid in for his second senior goal for the club.
UCD: McGinley; Douglas, Leahy, D O’Connor, Ledwith; Marshall (Clarke, 71 mins), P O’Conor, Corry, Meenan; Doyle (Lyons, 59 mins), Rusk (McCabe 81 mins.).
DUNDALK: P Murphy; Madden, C Byrne, McHugh, N. Murphy; Ward, McDonnell (Reilly, 73 mins), Bolger, Gaynor; Byrne, Breen.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin (Monaghan).
