GOALS from Daniel Kearns and Johnny Breen saw Dundalk cruise to victory over UCD at Oriel Park.

Dundalk enjoyed the territorial advantage but they only created two chances of real note in the first half. The first arrived after 15 minutes when Keith Ward was sent through by Daniel Kearns but Ger Barron stood up well to save with his legs.

Marc Griffin then found himself clear with only Barron to beat after a poor Ciaran Nangle backpass. The in form striker looked odds on to score his ?ninth of the season but he opted to try for the near post and his effort went wide.

UCD stroked the ball about nicely but their final ball lacked a killer punch. The closest they came to hitting the net in the first half came in the 28^th minute. Paul O'Connor fired in a cross from the right but Robbie Creevy could not keep his header down.

It looked like a drab first half would end scoreless but Dundalk hit the front on the stroke of half-time. Griffin was pulled down in the box by Michael Leahy and Daniel Kearns sent Barron the wrong way from the spot.

The second half was just seconds old when Dundalk were on the attack again. Ward was again the creator, slipping in a great reverse pass for Kearns to run on to only to see his effort come back off the upright.

Ian Foster's men began to take real control of the game and Griffin should have done a lot better with two chances in quick succession, hooking a Ross Gaynor cross off target before blazing wide from yet another defence splitting pass from Ward.

UCD failed to test Peter Cherrie on one single occasion and sub Breen made the game safe late on when he beat Barron from close range.

DUNDALK: Cherrie; Madden, Bennett, McHugh, N Murphy; Ward, Maher (Duffy 90), Bolger, Gaynor; Griffin (Breen 79), Kearns.

UCD: Barron; Harding, Leahy, D O'Connor, Nangle; Marshall, Corry, Creevy (Roche 61), Ledwith (Morrison 61), Belhout, P O'Connor.

REFEREE: Alan Kelly (Cork).