UCD 0-3 Shamrock Rovers
Danny Mandroiu scored his sixth goal in six games to send Shamrock Rovers seven clear as the Hoops strolled down easy street.
The only sour note for the champions was the injury to Ireland international Jack Byrne whose night was over just before half-time.
By that time, Barry Cotter and Mandroiu had already put Rovers in a commanding and early lead before Rory Gaffney sealed the deal before the break.
But as comfortable as Rovers were, they failed to build on their advantage in a disjointed second-half devoid of proper chances at either end.
Not that Rovers will stress over it. Unbeaten in 13 and with 10 wins in that time, they got the job done early doors.
And the pressure pendulum now swings back to the Brandywell.
Derry City may have played well in Tallaght last week, but they have just two points from their last three games and cannot afford a slip up at home to in-form Dundalk.
Any sliver of hope that UCD had of causing an upset was extinguished in the fifth minute when Rovers opened their account through Cotter.
Byrne’s deep cross should have been dealt with by either goalkeeper Kian Moore or John Ryan but wasn’t and Cotter out-jumped the defender all too easily.
And although Liam Kerrigan tested Alan Mannus from distance on two occasions, there was never a sense of a Students fightback.
Not when Rovers owned the ball and were pulling the home side all over the pitch with tremendous ease.
And it was just that when the champions doubled their lead in the 17th minute with Mandroiu sliding in to finish an outrageous outside-of-the-boot ball from Gaffney.
Rovers were already home and hosed - and everyone knew it.
Chants from the visiting fans fizzled out and were replaced by the hum of conversation, with supporters confident that the points were secure.
Byrne’s injury ten minutes before half-time was certainly another talking point - but one those Rovers supporters could have done without.
The Ireland international was the closest person to Kerrigan on the halfway line, but suddenly stopped playing and sat down.
Kerrigan was surprised, but seized the moment by accelerating into space only for the move to break down with no reward.
Byrne, who was pointing to his knee, went off for treatment but never returned with Aaron Greene thrust into the action.
And the striker was only on the pitch three minutes when he teed up Gaffney at close range for the Hoops’ third just before half-time.
With the sun setting on Belfield and the all-round easy vibe in the ground, it felt more like a pre-season friendly than a mid-season league game.
The influx of substitutions only fuelled that feeling, with Rovers making three at the break because they could and UCD copying them soon after because they should.
Boss Andy Myler said in the build-up that this was a “free shot” against the club he used to play for.
Games against Rovers won’t define their season and while the confidence gained from last week’s vital win at Finn Harps never manifested here, it should still serve them well.
Still, the final whistle was a welcomed sound for the hosts.
Rovers’ curiously lacked the killer instinct they showed in the first-half, and some of their shooting was wild.
Neil Farrugia used to call Belfield home but the former UCD man pulled two shots high and wide over Kian Moore’s crossbar.
But while their accuracy may have deserted them, Rovers remained in complete control for the remainder.
And they remain so in the title race too, having pulled further clear at the top - at least until tonight.
UCD
Kian Moore 5
Eoin Farrell 5
Eric Yoro 6
Sam Todd 6
Evan Osam 5
John Ryan 5
Jack Keaney 6
Adam Verdon 6
Liam Kerrigan 6
Alex Nolan 5
Lennon Gill 5
Subs : Dara Keane (for Ryan, 54), Dylan Duffy for Nolan, 54), Evan Caffrey (for Verdon, 54), Donal Higgins (for Gill 68), Thomas Lonergan (for Farrell, 68)
Subs not used : Lorcan Healy, Michael Gallagher, Ryan Bowden, Mark Dignam,
SHAMROCK ROVERS
Alan Mannus 6
Sean Gannon 6
Roberto Lopes 6
Sean Hoare 7
Barry Cotter 7
Richie Towell 7
Dylan Watts 8
Andy Lyons 6
Jack Byrne 6
Danny Mandroiu 7
Rory Gaffney 7
Subs : Aaron Greene (for Byrne, 39), Gary O’Neill (for Towell, 45), Neil Farrugia (for Lyons, 45), Aidomo Emakhu (for Gaffney, 45), Kieran Cruise (for Cotter, 59)
Subs not used: Leon Pohls, Graham Burke, Sean Kavanagh, Chris McCann, Kieran Cruise
Referee: Adriano Reale
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