Sporting Fingal 4 UCD 1:GLEN CROWE and Gary O'Neill both scored twice as Sporting Fingal rubberstamped Europa League qualification for the second season running.

While a draw would have done them in the end, Sporting proved they weren’t taking anything for granted as they stormed into a 2-0 lead inside the opening six minutes, effectively killing off the challenge of UCD with a third goal midway through the first half.

Both early goals must be credited with an assist from referee Anthony Buttimer who played a crucial advantage in their built up.

For the opening goal in the third minute, the official pulled play back to award Sporting a free-kick after initially allowing it to continue following a foul.

Sporting won a corner from Conan Byrne’s resultant free-kick. From the corner, again taken by Byrne, Crowe arrived to power a firm header to the net.

Then, three minutes later, Buttimer waved play on after Chris Mulhall had sent Byrne tumbling on the stand side touchline.

Ronan Finn whipped over a cross and O’Neill beat Billy Brennan with a terrific header.

O’Neill would increase Sporting’s lead further on 25 minutes but UCD hit back on 61 minutes when Michael Leahy dived low to head to the net.

Crowe restored Sporting’s three-goal cushion on 67 minutes when curling home a stunning right-footed half volley to the net after Alan Kirby had flicked on Byrne’s cross.

SPORTING FINGAL: Clarke; Browne, Hawkins, Williams, Fitzgerald; Byrne, McFaul, Finn, Kirby (Quinn, 89 mins.); O'Neill, Crowe.

UCD: Brennan; Harding, Leahy, E. McMillan, Shortall; Corry, Bolger (Rusk, h/t), Creevy, Mulhall; D. McMillan, Kilduff.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork).

Leahy 61

Crowe 3, 67

O’Neill 6, 25