Rovers rout students to go seven clear at summit

SHAMROCK Rovers opened a seven-point lead at the top of the SSE Airtricity League’s top flight by sweeping aside UCD 3-0 at the Belfield Bowl last night. The champions had the points wrapped up inside the first half with goals from Barry Cotter, Danny Mandroiu and Rory Gaffney (right) as they chalked up a ninth straight win over the Students. The only concern for the Hoops was the first-half substitution of Jack Byrne. UCD remain rooted to the foot of the table and their fight against relegation hasn’t been helped by a season-ending knee injury to Ireland Under 21 striker Colm Whelan.

UCD: Gill (Higgins 68); Nolan, Ryan (Keane 54), Yoro, Osam, Verdon (Duffy 54), Moore, Farrell (Lonergan 68), Kerrigan, Keaney, Todd.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Mannus, Gannon, Lopes, Hoare; Cotter (Cruise 57), Towell (O’Neill h/t), Byrne (Greene 28), Watts, Lyons (Farrugia h/t); Mandroiu, Gaffney (Emakhu h/t). Scorers: Cotter 5, Mandroiu 17, Gaffney 41. REFEREE: A Reale (Kildare)