Full Time in Tallaght Stadium where it has finished 4-0 to Shamrock Rovers against a depleted UCD, as the home side extend their lead over Derry City at the top of the Premier Division to 6 points as we head into the break.

Tonight was Rovers’ 15^th straight victory over the students, with the latter’s most recent victory in this fixture coming in 2013. This season alone, Rovers have beaten the students by three or more goals a whopping four times.

The home side made a bright start to the game, controlling 88% of the possession inside the opening 10 minutes. The reigning champions made their domination count as they took the lead in the 14^th minute thanks to an unfortunate own goal from UCD’s Harvey O’Brien.

O’Brien was victim to a delightful move from Rovers in transition, as Neil Farrugia powered past Evan Osam to set up Aaron Greene for a chance at goal on the six-yard line. Greene, however, was unable to make a solid connection with the ball, which ricocheted off his heel, and onto the heel of Harvey O’Brien, who could only watch as the ball trickled into the back of the net.

Just ten minutes later, Rovers doubled their lead as they took advantage on an error of communication within the UCD backline. A brilliant run and a perfectly weighted pass from Graham Burke to Jack Byrne set the midfielder up for the easiest goal of his career. Byrne was able to tap the ball into the back of the net from less than a yard out, as the UCD defence had over-committed to the front post.

Before long, it was 3. Neil Farrugia again proved a handful for Evan Osam down the right flank, as the Rovers winger was able to cruise past his man, teeing up Graham Burke in a similar position to where Aaron Greene had forced an own goal earlier in the half. Burke made a strong connection with the ball, which was fired into the bottom right-hand corner, leaving Kian Moore rooted to the spot in the UCD Goal.

After a triple substitution at half time, Shamrock Rovers continued with more of the same in the second half. The home side put the students under enormous pressure in the opening ten minutes of the half, and won a free kick in a dangerous position on the edge of the UCD box.

Graham Burke’s resulting strike hit against the UCD wall, the ball squirming its way to substitute Kieran Cruise, who found himself one-on-one with the UCD goalkeeper. Cruise grasped the opportunity with both hands, and powered the ball through the legs of Moore before running to celebrate his first senior goal for the club.

Shamrock Rovers were ruthless in tonight’s match as they refused to ease the pressure on the visitors. Rovers had numerous chances and, were it not for a solid performance from UCD’s Kian Moore and Jack Keaney it could easily have been six or seven.

The students sit well below safety, and will need a miracle if they are to avoid automatic relegation as they sit fifteen points below Drogheda United in 9^th place.

Full Time in Tallaght Stadium – Shamrock Rovers 4 – 0 UCD