Jack Byrne was the hero for Shamrock Rovers as he struck twice to help maintain their seven-point lead in the Premier Division.
Rovers should have led inside 15 minutes as a perfect through-ball from Byrne found Aaron McEneff, but he shot tamely at Kearns from close range.
Byrne showed him how it was done shortly after, but it was a mistake from Conor Kearns that allowed the ball to squirm through his fingers.
McEneff missed a golden chance shortly after and Kearns forced a fine save from Byrne before UCD levelled on the break.
A mesmerising run from Neil Farrugia on the left saw the Ireland under-21 winger burst into the box and pull back for Yoyo Mahdy to sidefoot home.
Byrne stepped up to the mark when Ronan Finn’s cross was deflected into his path seven minutes from time.
And McEneff added a third in injury time, taking advantage of UCD keeper Kearns’ venture into the Rovers box to walk the ball into the net.
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