A brace each from Paul Byrne and Conor Sammon lifted UCD into fourth in the league as the Students recorded their biggest ever win in the "DART derby". Bray were blitzed by a five-minute three-goal burst just before half-time, and UCD went on to score four goals at home in the Premier Division for the first time since a 4-0 win over Harps in October 1996.
While Tony McDonnell was back in training, it was decided that today's game came a bit too early for him, and so UCD kept with the team which had held champions Cork to a 0-0 draw last week.
The opening half-hour was even enough, with Bray creating the more dangerous chances. Bray might have taken the lead on ten minutes when Darren Quigley came off his line to collect a high ball only to miss entirely; fortunately for the U-21 international, his defence was able to clear before the Bray strike force - both former Ireland U-21 internationals themselves - could pounce. At the other end, a neat interchange between Conor Sammon and Pat McWalter ended in the winger firing just wide, while both sides had crosses end up on the roof of the net - Stephen Hurley for UCD.
With five minutes to go to the break, it looked as if the teams would go in scoreless. However, come the half-time whistle, UCD had the points in the bag. The first goal came after good work from Alan Cawley, Conor Sammon and Darragh Ryan saw Ryan break in behind the Bray defence; he drew the keeper and squared to Paul Byrne, who could hardly miss an open goal from 4 yards out. A minute later, Conor Sammon was played through, and he raced into the box to slot home past the Bray keeper for his first league for for the Students. Sammon himself then made it three when he found space in the box; his first shot was against the post, but he then struck his own rebound against the same post and over the line.
Shellshocked, Bray did regroup after the interval and threatened on a couple of occasions - Pat McWalter nearly put through his own goal after Darren Quigley palmed a cross onto his knee, but the ball fortunately looped over his own bar, while Quigley later caught a looping header one-handed with Robbie Doyle lurking. From a Bray corner on the hour mark, Conor Kenna was deceived by the wind and Robbie Doyle took advantage only to send his header into the side netting.
Any lingering doubts about the result were put to rest on 74 minutes, when Pat McWalter broke free on the left to square for Paul Byrne to tap home in very similar style to the opener; it was Byrne's seventh goal for UCD in just his 13th appearance.
Bray did grab a consolation late on when Colm Tresson latched onto a loose ball in the box to drill home; in truth, the end scoreline was harsh on the Wanderers, who could have pulled a second back in injury time only for a fine save from Quigley after Brian Shortall had blocked Bray's initial shot. UCD though went straight down the other end of the pitch and almost made the score worse for Bray as only a good save from the Bray keeper denied Derek Doyle, who had once again broken through the Bray rearguard.
One worry for UCD was the withdrawal of Conor Kenna with an apparent knee injury late on; having been down for treatment, Kenna had played on for a few minutes but, with the result in little doubt, Mahon decided not to risk him and brought on Brian Shortall in his stead.
So UCD jump up to fourth in the league with a trip to unbeaten Drogheda - where UCD won last season - up next. With Pete Mahon finally having found forwards in scoring form - Byrne and Sammon were also on the mark in the League Cup defeat in Dundalk - and captain Tony McDonnell due to be on the bench at least, the Students will make the short trip north with some optimism.
UCD - Quigley; Mahon, Ryan, Kenna (Shortall 88), McNally; Hurley, Cawley, C Byrne (Dicker 60), McWalter; P Byrne (Doyle 88), Sammon. Subs not used - Hussey, Matthews.
Att - 560
