The Hoops brought a smile to the face of 'caretaker' boss Alan O'Neill early on in his first game in charge since taking over from the suspended Roddy Collins when winger Cathal O'Connor was on target twice in the opening 22 minutes.
There was a very small attendance at Belfield for a fixture of little importance, with College already well clear of the relegation zone and Rovers already condemned to the play-offs - and perhaps their last two matches in the Premier Division.
But there can be no doubt that the Hoops’ fans will be out in their thousands next week as the team who have won 24 FAI Cups and 15 league titles seek to avoid relegation for the first time since joining the senior ranks in 1921.
The Hoops had the ideal start on 13 minutes when a perfect midfield ball from Marc Kenny found winger O'Connor in the clear and he cooly shot past 'keeper Darren Quigley from a narrow angle on the right.
And it was O'Connor who added a second just nine minutes later when he took advantage of weak clearance by College defender Mick O'Donnell. A neat interchange of passes with defender Cathal Sweetman allowed O'Connor to crash the ball home to the corner of the net from eight yards.
But gradually the Students got to grip with game and pulled a goal back on 36 mintues after a slip by Rovers’ ’keeper Barry Murphy.
A cross from the right by Brian Gannon was misjudged by the unfortunate Murphy and winger Pat McWalter had the simple task of heading home from close range.
And College were to have the final say when substitute Ronan Finn had the sides level on 87 minutes when firing home from ten yards after Willie Doyle had created the opening.
UCD - Quigley;
Shamrock Rovers - Murphy; Sweetman, Foley, Shelley, K.Doyle; O'Connor (Daniel 80), McDonagh, Kenny (O'Halloran 66), Quigley (Manley 56); Sheridan, Roche.