Rovers had to come back from a goal down to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the FAI Cup thanks to a brace from Dessie Baker and a stunning strike from Paddy Kavanagh.

Rovers started well and Kavanagh set up Captain Shane Robinson on the edge of the area after just 5 minutes but he dragged his shot across Brennan's goal.

Kilduff got past Cahill to cross but Flynn did enough to clear under pressure. On 12 minutes Cahill and O'Connor combined to cross for Baker who glanced a header wide.

Aiden Price came on for the injured Craig Sives and a minute later the Students shocked the Hoops when Kilduff got behind the defence and although Murphy forced him wide he shot home past Price on the line.

Rovers continued to dominate possession and they got their reward when O'Connor got behind the UCD defence to cross low for Baker to take a couple of touches before finally dispatching the ball into the net.

O'Connor then split the UCD defence with a good ball to Robinson but the Waterford man shot wide of the target.

Paddy Kavanagh announced his arrival in Tallaght on 31 minutes when he ran at the UCD defence and fired a shot from 25 yards into the top corner of the net. Rovers finished the half on a high with O'Connor and Baker having chances to extend the lead.

The Students tried to get back into the game but their hopes were dashed on 57 minutes when Kavanagh rolled the ball into Baker's path and the Hoops number 18 skipped past the 'keeper and from the tightest of angles fired the ball into the net.

After Purcell had turned well in the box but shot over the Hoops had a lucky escape when Ref. Kelly flashed a yellow card to Barry Murphy after he inadvertently handled Price's headed back pass outside his area.  

The visitors never gave up and Murphy had to be alert to clear from Mulhall on 75 minutes and then from substitute Ward's attempted lob from the edge of the area. 

Dessie Baker had a great opportunity to bag the first hat-trick in Tallaght Stadium when after a fine Rovers move involving Cowen and Kavanagh the UCD 'keeper Brennan took down O'Connor in the box and the Ref. pointed to the spot. Brennan however atoned for his error to dive to his left to push away Baker's strike.