Drogheda U UCD 3:UCD GO top of the table after a more than convincing win over Drogheda at United Park. A Ciarán Kilduff brace along with a Greg Bolger strike was more than enough to see off a very lacklustre Drogheda outfit.

Jamie Harris found himself beaten for pace by Kilduff for the striker’s opener, who held off the central defender to shoot low against the Drogheda goalkeeper. Greg Bolger doubled the students’ advantage minutes later as once again the Drogheda defence was out of position and Keith Ward picked out Bolger who, totally unmarked, rifled his shot home.

Kilduff completed the rout on 90 minutes with a splendid solo effort from midfield, his pace proving too much for Drogheda’s rearguard, and his flick wrong footed Paul Skinner.

The students opened the game well, using the long-ball tactic to good effect they almost opened the scoring after four minutes. Chris Mulhall from the right wing sent in a cross which was headed just over from four yards out by Kilduff.

UCD looked to have opened the scoring when midfielder Kilduff was played through and his looping shot beat the onrushing Skinner but hit the underside of the cross bar and bounced out.

Drogheda barely featured in the first half, their only chance coming on 10 minutes when Brendan McGill’s shot was saved. The home side began the second half well with John Flood and Fitzpatrick both going close, but once the students opened their account there looked to be only one winner.

DROGHEDA: P Skinner, C Treacy, J Kendrick, A McNally, J Harris, E McGill (G O’Connor, 86), B McGill (J Duffy, 76), R Martin (P Crowley, 63), M Daly, J Flood, G Fitzpatrick.

UCD: B Brennan, S Harding, C Nangle, A Boyle, B Shortall, G Bolger, K Ward (S Fitzgerald, 85), S Roche (P Corry, 80), C Kilduff, G Rusk, C Mulhall.

Referee: B Hannie.