Two first-half goals set UCD firmly on their way to three fully deserved points against a lacklustre Finn Harps at Belfield Park yesterday.

By the final whistle the students had added a third as they brought to an end Finn Harps's recent run of form which had seen them go into the game with four successive wins.

UCD took a well deserved lead after only 13 minutes, when Mick O'Byrne got on the end of Tony McDonnell's cross to head home at the far post.

And when Robert Dunne added a second after 38 minutes, the students were well on their way to victory.

After the break, the visitors did have a couple of half chances, but neither Fergal Harkin nor Stephen Kelly were able to hit the target. The Donegal men were made to pay for those misses in the 74th minute when the home side added their third, Glen Fitzpatrick beating Brian McKenna with a classy curling left-footed shot.

To sum up a disappointing afternoon for Finn Harps, they were even denied a consolation goal nine minutes from time, when Jonathan Speak shot wide.

UCD: Ryan; McDonnell, Delaney, Lynch, Mahon; McLoughlin, Kavanagh, Martyn, Dunne; O'Byrne, Fitzpatrick.

Finn Harps: McKenna; Vaudequin (McHugh 77), Dykes, Boyle, Minnock; Mohan, Kelly (McGettigan 77), O'Brien (Harkin 59), Kavanagh; Speak, Mulligan.

Referee: J Stacey (Dublin).