League Preview: UCD -v- Limerick FC

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Fri, Sep 05 2014




UCD

UCD are faced with the daunting challenge of picking themselves up having suffered a disappointing defeat last time out against Bray Wanderers. This Friday they welcome former College manager Martin Russell and his new side, Limerick FC. Kick off in Belfield has been set for 7.45PM.

 

UCD were accused of "lacking fight" this past week on Newstalk's Off The Ball sports programme. A harsh comment by all accounts, but there is no denying the facts that The Students have not won in their past seven games, a run that stretches all the way back to their shock 1-0 victory over Sligo Rovers in mid July.

 

Aaron Callaghan will certainly be hoping that come Friday evening his side will show all the fight that is required to overcome Limerick as the boss admitted himself that he left the Carlisle Grounds last week a lot less happier than when he had arrived.

 

“I thought we were very disappointing against Bray Wanderers last week. We will really need to up the performance and add that bit of battle if we are going to have any chance against a strong Limerick side. I know Martin well and he will have his side well up for the game and will really want to get one over us.”

 

The College have no suspension problems to worry about although Mark Langtry and Thomas Boyle will continue to miss out with ankle and hamstring injuries respectively.

 

On the back of massive games against Athlone Town and Bray Wanderers the Students now know that they will be faced with the daunting task of taking on some challenging line ups in the coming weeks but captain Robbie Benson is determined to remain upbeat.

 

"Coming off the back of losing a big game it's very important to get back on track as quickly as possible and we're very confident of doing that on Friday. They have lost a couple on the bounce but we know Martin will have them playing well and it should be a great game of football"

 

LIMERICK FC

Martin Russell should justifiably be given a fantastic welcome on his return to Belfield this Friday night with the former Manchester United academy player even admitting in the build up to this game that he knows how badly the UCD coaches and players will want to escape this battle against the drop.

 

“I know how much it means to the UCD players and the club to have that stage of playing in the Premier Division. They’ve been there a while now and they don’t want to give it up.


“It’s a difficult place to go from that aspect alone. We also again have to get the right team and right units out there to go and produce a performance.


“UCD have been in the division for the last number of years so it’s not something they want to give up lightly. They will always have players that will want to prove themselves, so that’s why Friday is going to be a difficult challenge.

 

However, come kick off time he will have his attention fully on the Munster side's performance. Russell looks set to be without a trio of defensive stars in the form of Samuel Oji, Stephen Folan and Robbie Williams. In more positive news on the defensive front Michael Leahy, who is a former UCD captain, has returned to training.

 

“This week it has been a case of looking at who has been able to train. We’ve still probably not had our regular back four all training together, but we have to deal with it and that’s what we’ve tried to do. The rest of the boys have been working away.


“You can probably take a hit with one or two but when you have three or four injuries in that area, and the back-up as well affected by it then it’s a challenge.

 

Referee: Anthony Buttimer

 

 

MATCH FACTS

Limerick head into this clash unbeaten in Dublin under Martin Russell.

 

The Blues have lost their last two games on a 7-0 aggregate score line.

 

Two points out of the last 21 points available means that UCD certainly will not be entering this one with the favourites tag on their back.

 

 

BETTING

UCD 10/3; Draw 12/5; Limerick 4/5.

 

PREDICTION

UCD 1-2 Limerick FC

 

 

UCD

Injured: Mark Langtry (Ankle), Thomas Boyle (Hamstrings)
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None

 

Limerick FC

Injured: None
Doubtful: Samuel Oji (Groin), Stephen Folan (Thigh) and Robbie Williams (Groin)
Suspended: None