UCD turned in their best performance of the season at Belfield last night, putting three goals past league leaders Shamrock Rovers. The visitors came out a clear second best to the students, who time and time again ran the Rovers defence ragged with a vintage display.

Both teams struck the crossbars before Peter Hanrahan punished some slack marking to head home a Brian Mooney free on 24 minutes.

Six minutes before the break, left full back Alan Mahon put Owen Bennis in the clear and he cleverly slipped the ball past Robbie Horgan. Both Michael O'Byrne and Ciaran Kavanagh came close after the break before Bennis added UCD's third 20 minutes from the end, following a through ball by Mooney.

Prior to the game a minute's silence was observed for former UCD general manager Dr Tony O'Neill who was buried on Tuesday.

UCD: Ryan; McLoughlin, Lynch, McDonnell, Mahon, McAuley, Kavanagh, Hanrahan, Mooney, Bennis, O'Byrne. Subs: Dunne for McAuley (88 mins); Kilmurray for Mooney (77 mins); Fitzpatrick for Bennis (90 mins).

Shamrock Rovers: Horgan; Britton, Jackson, Brazil, Dunne, Robinson, Colwell, Tracey, Woods, Cousins, Purdy. Subs: Deans for Brazil (50 mins); Byrne for Colwell (65 mins); Holt for Purdy (80 mins).

Referee: R O'Hanlon (Waterford).