Galway United 1, UCD 4: THESE ARE crucial times in the season, but UCD dealt with the heavy burden of expectancy as they were too cool and clinical for Galway United at Terryland Park.

First half goals from Keith Ward and Paul Corry ensured the students assumed a commanding position and Galway United were in deep distress.

Ward nudged UCD three ahead on 51 and though a Stephen O’Donnell penalty in the 62nd minute gave Galway an injection of hope the students responded instantly.

Chris Mulhall broke down the right and centred for the nifty Ward, who completed his hat-trick with a measured strike and manager Martin Russell was encouraged. “On the back of his great finish last week against Shamrock Rovers it was a great achievement for Keith to get three and Paul was a threat from midfield too,” said Russell.

“You need that at times players from different areas contributing goals. Mathematically we aren’t there yet, but we want to finish as high up the table as we possibly can,” he added.

The win means UCD, barring a glut of peculiar results, will avoid a relegation play/off as Galway seem certain to face Bray Wanderers.

GALWAY UNITED:Geraghty; Conneely, McKenzie, Sinnott, Meynell; King (Keane, 52 mins), Curran, O'Donnell, O'Brien; Walsh (Molloy, 77 mins), K Sheppard (D Sheppard, 84 mins).

UCD:Brennan; Shortall, Leahy, E McMillan, Nangle; Mulhall, Corry, Bolger, Ward (Moore, 83 mins); Kilduff, D McMillan (Creevy, 67 mins).

Referee: P Sutton (Clare).