UCD recorded their biggest win of the season to give their hopes of staying in the Premier Division a huge boost at Belfield yesterday. Their landslide victory helped move them out of the bottom three and a win over Bohemians next Friday will definitely seal their tenancy in the top flight for next season.
Sligo conceded their first goal after just 53 seconds when Robert Griffin stole in at the far post to find the back of the net. Sligo responded well, and the woodwork twice came to UCD's rescue in the first half. However with goal difference very much to the fore of the home side's mind UCD then pulled away with Jason Sherlock netting consecutively on 50 and 56 minutes. Sherlock then put Ciaran Kavanagh in for number four but celebrations were dampened when referee Gerry Perry over-ruled the linesman to allow Mark Hallows's goal for Sligo to stand despite protestations of off-side.
But justice was done with just seconds remaining when Mick O'Byrne converted the students' fifth.
UCD: Kelly, McLoughlin, Fitzgerald, Delaney, McDonnell, Lynch, Kavanagh, Bolger, Sherlock, O'Byrne, Griffin. Sub: Martyn for Bolger (80 mins).
Sligo Rovers: Broujos, Thew, Hutchison, Reid, Cubbesson, Birks, Jones, O'Grady, Flannery, Oates, Rowlands. Sub: Hallows for Flannery (75 mins).
Referee: G Perry (Dublin).
