League Preview: Cobh Ramblers -v- UCD

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Sat, Mar 07 2015




COBH RAMBLERS

Cobh welcome The Students to St. Colman’s Park on Saturday evening, as both teams prepare to kick start their 2015 season.

 

An 8^th placed finish last campaign leaves a lot to be desired on the Cobh side of Cork so Martin Cambridge will be hoping that the signings of Shane O’Connor, Darren Murphy and Peter White.

 

The move of O’Connor from fellow Munster club Limerick, really managed to rejuvenated the long standing Cobh supporters who have had to witness their team finish 7^th and 8^th since they made their return to League of Ireland football in 2012.

 

However despite those two clearly disappointing years things may be about to swing the corner down South as a talented U19 team along with a number of marquee signings mean that their odds to end the season as First Division Champions have been set at just 25/1, suggesting that a top half or certainly a mid-table finish should not be laughed at in 2015.

 

UCD

UCD will head into this game confident that they can get their 2015 First Division campaign off to a winning start despite missing a number of key players, including last year’s top performers in the form of Robbie Benson and Ian Ryan.

 

The Students new manager Colin O’Neill believes his side have come through pre-season safely and feels that with the right players his squad can achieve some positive results this campaign.

 

“I feel that although we may lack in experience in some areas of the pitch, the youth we have are extremely talented players and have a great enthusiasm and hunger to succeed at this level.”

 

Further signings were announced by UCD this week as they managed to get their hands on a host of new young exciting talent. Eoin Kirwan and Conor Mackay have signed for the Belfield based club from Cambridge United and Barnsley FC respectively. They will slot nicely into a squad already containing the likes of Evan McMillian and Mick Leahy, so once fit one would have to imagine that this team has the ability to challenge for the First Division title and an immediate return to the Premier Division.

 

Referee: James McKell

 

 

MATCH FACTS

UCD are favourites for this clash and rightly so but new manger Collie O’Neill will need to shore up a defence that shifted 71 goals last year – the highest in the SSE Airtricity League.

 

Cobh will be desperate to improve on the two wins they picked up at home last season and with UCD known for starting the season slowly, the League opener may be the perfect opportunity for the home side.

 

When we asked our extratime.ie reporters who would finish where in the First Division, the results showed Cobh achieving a seventh placed finish with The Students finishing the year up in second position.

 

 

BETTING
Cobh Ramblers 2/1; Draw 11/5; UCD 6/5

 

PREDICTION

Cobh Ramblers 1-2 UCD

 

 

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Darren Murphy, Peter White
Doubtful: Unknown
Suspended: None

 

UCD

Injured: Robbie Benson (Foot), Ian Ryan (Foot), Jack Watson (Thigh)
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None