BILLY DENNEHY scored a hat-trick to ease Shamrock Rovers into the quarter-finals of the FAI Ford Cup and a showdown with holders Sligo Rovers who beat Hoops on penalties in last year’s final.

This replay was over by half-time as Rovers led 4-0 against ten men by the break.

The opener came on five minutes when Dennehy slotted home the rebound after his penalty - awarded for a handball against UCD captain Michael Leahy - was parried by keeper Ger Barron.

Chris Turner headed home Dennehy’s corner for the second goal on 19 minutes before Leahy was sent off for hauling down Gary O’Neill. Gary McCabe slotted home the spot kick to make it 3-0.

Dennehy added the fourth goal on 42 minutes, drilling home after Barron batted away Sean Gannon’s lob.

Dennehy rattled the bar with a 30-yard effort early in the second half before completing his hat-trick on 71 minutes from substitute Paddy Kavanagh’s cross.

Kavanagh also provided the delivery for O’Neill to head home Rovers’ sixth goal in stoppage time.

UCD: Barron; Harding (Douglas, 78 mins.), O’Connor, Leahy, Ledwith; Benson, Creevy, Corry, P. O’Conor, Belhout (Meenan, 52 mins.), Rusk (Boyle, 28 mins.).

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Brush; Sullivan (Shannon, 61 mins.), Gannon, Murray, Memery; McCabe (Kavanagh, 61 mins.), Turner, Finn, Dennehy (Sheppard, 88 mins.); O’Neill, Kilduff.

REFEREE: D McKeon (Dublin).