UCD bounced back from that 7-0 mauling by Derry City on Friday to run out 3-0 winners over Galway United at the UCD Bowl.

Martin Russell's youngsters moved further out of the relegation zone with their third league win in four games after a comfortable victory over the second from bottom Tribesmen.

The Students had a chance in the first minute after striker Samir Belhout was fouled just outside the box. The resulting free by Paul Corry was pushed away by Galway 'keeper Greg Fleming with Shaun Kelly completing the clearance.

United did have an opportunity to break the deadlock when winger Bobby Ryan set up a chance for midfielder Sean Kelly only to see his 20 yard effort fly just over the bar.

Then a  mix-up between defenders Yael Haro and David O'Connor set up a perfect chance for Stephen Walsh with only 'keeper Ger Barron to beat. But the unmarked Galway striker fired wide from 14 yards when it seemed easier to score.

Galway squandered yet another chance on the half hour when Walsh and Ryan combined to set up another opening only for Alan Murphy to blaze his shot over the bar when well placed.

Against the run of play, College took the lead on 33 minutes when 'keeper Fleming took down striker Belhout in a race for possession inside the box. Dean Marshall made no mistake with the ensuing penalty, sending Fleming the wrong way.

Marshall then turned supplier in the 39th minute when his clever long cross from the left was powerfully headed home at the far post by Darren Meehan giving Fleming no chance. Seconds before the interval, the livewire Marshall might have added further to College's lead when he cut in from the left,  only for his 22 yard effort to be narrowly wide of the target.

The game was all over as a contest on 70 minutes when David O'Connor supllied a perfect ball for winger Darren Meenan on the right. His low cross allowed the unmarked Samir Belhout to blast the ball into the roof of the net from ten yards.       

UCD - Barron; P.O'Conor, D.O'Connor, Haro, Ledwith; Marshall, Corry, Creevy (Russell 14), Meenan; Belhout (Doyle 78), Rusk (Kavanagh 86).

Galway United - Fleming; Shaun Kelly, Sinnott, Feeney, Eduardo (Gartland 17); Ryan, Sean Kelly, G.Kelly, Moore (Keogh 56), Walsh, Murphy.
  

Referee - Paul McLaughlin (Monaghan).