Champions Shamrock Rovers beat UCD AFC 2-0 at The Bowl last night in the Airtricity League Premier Division
A first half goal from Gary Twigg and a second half strike from Gary McCabe secured Stephen Kenny's Shamrock Rovers 2-0 win over UCD at The Belfield Bowl on Firday night.
Rovers started well and took the lead in just the fifth minute, Twigg's shot ending up in Mark McGinley's net with the help of the inside of the post. Not the start Martin Russell was looking for. Twigg's 16th goal of the season.
In front of a crowd of over 1,000, The Students began to settle and played some nice football at times but failed to test Rover's keeper Oscar Jansson, who kept his third clean sheet in a row in the league.
Chris Lyons was sent through by Dave McMillan, but Jansson raced from his line to avert the danger.
While McMillan himself tried his look after half an hour, but his first time volley went over the crossbar.
Unlike the two excellent goals they scored in the reverse fixture in Tallaght earlier in the season, UCD couldnt score.
Rovers made the game save midway through the second half, Gary McCabe curling a brilliant shot into the net from just outside the box after good play by Killian Brennan and Ronan Finn.
Sub Dean Clarke gave the UCD attack something different with his pace in the closing minutes, while Rovers sun Tommy Stewart was guilty of missing two good chances for The Hoops late on.
UCD manager Martin Russell will take heart from his team's performance, but with relegation rivals Dundalk picking up a point against Cork, the gap widened to four points with eleven games remaining.
Rovers are now within four points of leaders Sligo.
UCD's next game is away to Shelbourne in the league at Tolka Park next Friday night 9Aug 10th) with an 8pm kick off.
While Rovers host Sligo Rovers on Monday week in a crucial game with an 8pm kick off.
UCD: Mark McGinley; Hugh Douglas, James Kavanagh, Mick Leahy(c), Daniel Ledwith; Paul Corry, Paul O'Conor; Tyrone McNelis (Sean Russell 60), Robbie Benson (Gary Burke 77), David McMillan; Chris Lyons (Dean Clarke 70)
Subs not used: Ger Barron, Tomas Boyle, Ciaran Nangle, Barry McCabe 
Shamrock Rovers: Oscar Jansson; Pat Sullivan (Kerrea Gilbert 77), Colin Hawkins, Craig Sives, Conor Powell; Chris Turner (Killian Brennan 30), Stephen Rice, Ronan Finn, Gary McCabe; Daryl Kavanagh (Thomas Stewart 55), Gary Twigg
Subs not used: Reyaad Pieterse, Ciaran Kilduff, Thomas Stewart, Conor McCormack, Billy Dennehy
Booked: Craig Sives (79).
Referee: Neil Doyle
Attendance: 1,306
