Defending champions UCD progressed to the last four of the Sigerson Cup with a comfortable 10-point victory over DCU at Belfield.

Full-forward Evan O’Carroll contributed an impressive haul of 1-8 over the course of the hour, while Dublin senior panellist Darren Gavin chipped in with four points in a dominant midfield display.

Following points from Barry McGinn and Conor McCarthy, O’Carroll comfortably slotted a sixth-minute penalty beyond the reach of DCU’s Evan Comerford.

The Laois attacker continued to find the target as the half wore on, before their northside rivals kicked into gear courtesy of a David Garland goal.

While UCD remained in control, a booming Matthew Ruane point ensured their interval lead stood at just two points (1-8 to 1-6).

Although this quarter-final tie appeared finely balanced, it proved to be a largely one-sided affair on the resumption.

After O’Carroll (free) and Con O’Callaghan raised white flags, UCD wing-back Cian O’Connor palmed to the net on 40 minutes.

Despite their best efforts, DCU relied solely on Mayo’s Brian Reape for second-period scores.

Scorers – UCD: E O’Carroll 1-8 (1-0 pen, 0-6f); D Gavin 0-4; C O’Connor 1-0; C O’Callaghan 0-2; C McCarthy (f), B McGinn 0-1 each. DCU: D Garland 1-2 (0-2f); B Reape 0-4 (4f); T Galligan, M Ruane, M Bannigan 0-1 each.

UCD – T O’Brien; B Byrne, M Dempsey, M O’Connor; C O’Connor, C O’Shea, L Silke; D Gavin, S Coen; C Meyler, C McCarthy, L Fortune; C O’Callaghan, E O’Carroll, B McGinn. Subs: B O Seanachain for Meyler (37), F Clifford for McGinn (41), D Kennedy for Fortune (54), BD O’Sullivan for Silke, F Connolly for O’Connor (both 61).

DCU – E Comerford; C Morrison, B McCole, J Bambrick; S Akram, C McManus, D Reynolds; T Galligan, M Ruane; D Rooney, L Towey, P Smith; M Bannigan, B Reape, D Garland. Subs: S Bugler for Smith, J Morrissey for Akram (both h-t), S Smith for Rooney (41), M Corcoran for Towey (48).

REF – B Cawley (Kildare).