Shamrock Rovers 3 UCD 1
Jack Byrne grabbed two goals at Tallaght Stadium to help Shamrock Rovers towards a hard-earned victory over UCD as they retained their seven-point advantage at the top of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.
Fresh from his recent call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad, the former Manchester City man broke the deadlock on 19 minutes.
Following excellent build-up play by Ronan Finn, his firm strike squeezed through the fingertips of Conor Kearns.
Despite their dominance in possession, Rovers surrendered their lead when Yousef Mahdy fired past Alan Mannus in the 37th minute.
UCD looked set to claim a share of the spoils, until Byrne turned home a Finn cross in the closing stages.
Indeed, after Kearns had raced forward for a last-gasp corner, Aaron McEneff slotted into an empty net to seal the Rovers win.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Mannus; Bone (Clarke, 71 mins), Lopes, Grace, Kavanagh; McEneff, Bolger; Byrne, Finn, Watts (Coustrain, 59 mins); Greene (Vojic, 78 mins).
UCD: Kearns; Tobin, Collins, Scales, Dignam; McClelland, Molloy, O’Neill, O’Farrell, Farrugia; Mahdy (McDonald 84).
Referee: J McLoughlin (Roscommon).