UCD AFC made the short trip to Louth only to be devastated by Dundalk.

DUNDALK (0) 3 UCD (0) 0 Melligan 33, Breen 73 Kuduzovuc 87 Oriel Park, Friday 9 April 2010

UCD, relishing a surface on which they could play passing football, tested the home defence during the opening 20 minutes with Bolger, Corry and McMahon winning the early midfield battle. But they found Dundalk's defence calm and resolute and it was Billy Brennan, spectating on the edge of his area, who had to make a rapid readjustment to deal with an inventive dipping effort from Wayne Hatswell that threatened his charge. Ciaran Kilduff was getting little change out of the home stoppers and when he did get the chance of a run on goal Breen was quick to snuff it out and allow Cherrie to collect. But Kilduff showed good awareness on the half hour after receiving from Corry and set up David McMillan. His shot was deflected by Kelly and only just cleared the Dundalk crossbar.

Nine minutes into the second period, JJ Melligan benefited from a mistake by Robbie Creevy and an assist from Fenn sent the ball racing past the advancing Brennan.

UCD heads went down and it was all over in the 73rd minute as Melligan's well flighted corner from the left was headed back across goal by Hatswell for Garry Breen to head home. UCD rallied briefly when Cherrie couldn't hold Corry's fierce shot and McMahon only just failed to force the loose ball home. But it was the home side who underlined their superiority with a fine goal two minutes before the end. Ross Gaynor made all the running for Kuduzovic to score from close range. Melligan's scintillating display made him a worthy man of the match although Kuduzovic and Gaynor ran him close. Although Dundalk's elevation was assisted by the surprise demise of Bohs and Pats there is nothing artificial about the Louth club's position at the top of the current table. The Dundalk players were as sharp as the club suits they wore pre match. The contest for the championship looks promising.

DUNDALK: Peter Cherrie; Shaun Kelly, Liam Burns, Garry Breen, Wayne Hatswell; J.J. Melligan, Tom Miller (Ciarin McGuigan 79), Stephen Maher; Fadrudin Kuduzovic, Neale Fenn (Johnny Breen 77), Ross Gaynor.

UCD: Billy Brennan; Brian Shortall, Evan McMillan, Andy Boyle, Ciaran Nangle; Peter McMahon, Greg Bolger (Robbie Creevy 64), Paul Corry; Graham Rusk, Ciaran Kilduff (Sean Houston 64), David McMillan (Keith Ward 54). Referee: Damien Hancock

By Brian de Salvo