League Preview: UCD -v- Shelbourne

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Thu, Mar 12 2015




 

UCD

UCD welcome Shelbourne to the UCD Bowl on Friday night in a hotly anticipated game.

 

The Students have had a mixed week with an opening day victory against Cobh Ramblers being someway counteracted by a disappointing EA Sports Cup exit at the hands of Cabinteely.

 

New UCD manager Collie O’Neill is particularly looking forward to this contest having started his own managerial career in Tolka Park. He is also more than aware of how keen Shels’ new boss Kevin Doherty will be to bring Premier Division football back to the Drumcondra venue in the very near future.

 

“Shelbourne is a unique club where I had the pleasure of beginning my management career and there are many people who work tirelessly for the club and none more so than Joe Casey. He has been with the club through the good times, the bad times and has always got the club’s best interests at heart.

 

UCD were beaten both home and away in the relegation play-off final by Galway last year, however it could easily have been Shelbourne taking on The Students for a place in the Premier Division had it not been for their own play-off defeat to the Western outfit.

 

“Shelbourne had a great season last year and I expect them to be there or there abouts come the end of the season. In Kevin they have a great quality manager and if he can bring the qualities he possessed as a player into the management side of things then there’s no reason why they won’t be back in the Premier Division soon.”

 

On the injury front for the College, Robbie Benson, Ian Ryan and Jack Watson all remain out with foot and thigh injuries while Mick Leahy may also miss out should he fail to come through his late fitness test ahead of the game. Mark Langtry is going to have to watch from the stands due to his red card late on in the game in Cobh last weekend.

 

 

SHELBOURNE

Shels travel to Belfield on Friday night with an injury hit, and also illness hit, squad, with a total of eight players who may have to sit out this important league fixture.

 

Shels secured a morale boosting victory over former manager Johnny McDonnell on Tuesday night in the League Cup although both Shels and Drogheda opted to go for youth over experience on that occasion. Doherty has been keen to ensure that his side has moved on quickly to focus on their next assignment, away to UCD.

 

"We'll still be without a number of players, but I'm happy that we can go to Belfield and can build on Tuesday's result."

 

Shels head into Friday night’s fixture without the services of Simon Dixon and Paul Andrews as both players continue to recover from head injuries picked up in the League opener against Finn Harps. Dylan McGlade is the other player who will definitely be absent as he nears the completion of his rehabilitation from an ankle problem.

 

However Doherty will have to wait until just before kick-off to see if he will be able to avail of the services of Adam O’Connor and Colm Crowe, with both men having been struck down with the apparent bug that has been circulating the Tolka Park venue in recent weeks.

 

Daire Doyle, Jake Donnelly and Jordan Keegan are all also on the doubtful list due to knocks the threesome picked up in Tuesday’s EA Sports Cup game.

 

Referee: Robert Hennessy

 

 

MATCH FACTS

The last time these two sides met was in the Leinster Senior Cup in 2014, a game which UCD won although The Students required spot kicks to overcome a plucky Shelbourne.

 

O’Neill and Doherty have only ever faced each other as Assistant Managers but with both showing early managerial potential they will each be equally desperate to get the three points.

 

Both sides have yet to concede a league goal this campaign while Shels are also yet to score a goal in the First Division in 2015.

 

 

BETTING

UCD 6/4; Draw 23/10; Shelbourne 6/4.

 

PREDICTION

UCD 1-1 Shelbourne

 

 

UCD

Injured: Robbie Benson (foot), Ian Ryan (foot), Jack Watson (thigh).

Doubtful: Mick Leahy.

Suspended: Mark Langtry.

 

Shelbourne

Injured: Dylan McGlade (ankle), Paul Andrews (head), Simon Dixon (head).

Doubtful: Adam O’Connor, Daire Doyle, Jake Donnelly, Jordan Keegan, Colm Crowe.

Suspended: None.