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Hoops close in on league leaders

Saturday 25th August 2007, 12:57 am

Andy Myler, Shamrock Rovers.

Photo by Tom Carey.

An Andy Myler hat-trick sent Shamrock Rovers on their way to a 4-2 win against UCD at Belfield Park on Friday night, moving to within seven points of League of Ireland leaders Drogheda United.

UCD had gotten off to the perfect start and were ahead inside the opening sixty-seconds as Conor Sammon celebrated his call-up to the Irish under-21 squad with his eighth goal of the season.

Conor Kenna's cross had done the damage before Sammon fired home high to the Rovers net. Peter Hynes could well have put Rovers two behind before Tadhg Purcell levelled from the penalty spot on 13 minutes. Kenna brought down Purcell for the award and Purcell stepped up to slot home his eleventh league goal of the season - a tally no-one still playing in the league has beaten this season.

Rovers improved following their early shaky spell. The Hoops went ahead six minutes after half-time when Myler slotted home after David Tyrell's pass has left him a simple finish against one of his former clubs.

Myler hit a stunning second to put Rovers 3-1 up just after the hour. Controlling wide on the edge of the box, Myler somehow fashioned a lofted shot at goal leaving goalkeeper Darren Quigley with no chance.

Myler might well have wrapped up his hat-trick earlier than he eventually did, narrowly missing the UCD goal with a header. He did wrap up his treble five minutes from the end after Tony McDonnell brought down Owen Doyle in the box. Myler stepped up to slot home and make it 4-1.

UCD salvaged a late consolation as Shane Fitzgerald found the net with a superb shot from distance.

UCD : Quigley, King, Kenna (McDonnell 64), Shortall, Bermingham, Fitzgerald, McFaul, Crowley (McWalter 76), Doyle, Sammon, Hynes (Byrne 64).
Shamrock Rovers : Murphy, O'Brien, Lawrence, O'Connor, Clarke, Cassidy, Reynolds, Martin (Shiels 46), Tyrrell (Doyle 58), Purcell, Myler (Rowe 87).