UCD 3 Waterfford Utd 0:Pete Mahon will hope this result, his side's first win of the campaign, ignites UCD's season. Never bracketed among the contenders, the students still have a habit of making life difficult for others as Waterford will testify.

After going two behind in the first half, the struggling visitors lacked the guile to salvage anything from their travels. A long season awaits.

UCD's early willingness to sit back could, in fact, have cost them but Paul McCarthy dallied with the goal at his mercy and, soon after, he had a shot cleared off the line by Alan McNally.

Sensing that threat, UCD responded and they were more cohesive pushing upfield than containing as their direct approach forced Waterford on to the back foot.

Conan Byrne was particularly dangerous, teasing and probing throughout. His incisive runs when cutting in off the flank hurt Waterford and his goal, a glancing header at the near post after 26 minutes, was just reward for his efforts.

That certainly shook Waterford and their approach thereafter lacked the bite with which they had started. UCD began to dominate and it was no surprise when they doubled their advantage four minutes later.

Conor Kenna's looping ball outsmarted a napping defence and Paul Byrne controlled superbly before beating Dean Delaney with an angled shot. Gareth Cronin's second half substitutions revived Waterford somewhat and Matt Gregg twice denied Daryl Kavanagh late on. But Paul Byrne's stunning 35-yard effort at the death sealed a comfortable victory for the students.

UCD: Gregg, Mahon, McNally, McMillan, Kenna; C Byrne, Finn, Crowley, Oprea; Purcell, P Byrne. Subs: Doyle for Oprea (72 mins), King for Crowley (90 mins), Bermingham for Mahon (90 mins).

WATERFORD UNITED: Delaney; Scully, Breen, Keely, Flynn; Mulcahy, McCarthy, Reynolds, Warren; Sullivan, Brosnan. Subs: Bruton for Keely (half-time), Cooling for Warren (56 mins), Kavanagh for Sullivan (72 mins).

Referee: H Whoriskey (Meath)