League Preview: UCD -v- Finn Harps

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Thu, Apr 02 2015




UCD

UCD welcome Finn Harps to the UCD Bowl on Good Friday desperate to buck their poor run of form which has seen the Students lose three of their opening four league games.

 

Despite those defeats, morale around the football club have been massively boosted this week after the club’s U19 side secured the Enda McGuill Cup via a 3-2 victory over Derry City in Belfield on Wednesday night. From a first team perspective there was five players involved in that victory who have also contributed to the first team squad this season, a fact which really show cases just how young this UCD outfit is.

 

Manager O’Neill is well aware that his side need to start picking up points sooner rather than later if they are to hoist themselves up from their lowly current position of seventh in the league table.

 

"This is our third home league game of the season, and I am hoping we will be able to get back to winning ways after a disappointing defeat last week to Wexford Youths. No time to be feeling sorry for ourselves we just have to keep plucking away and eventually our quality will come through."

 

Robbie Benson came through the Youths game last Friday night unhurt and therefore will likely make just his second appearance of the season when Harps come to visit the Bowl. However in less positive news Ian Ryan will continue to watch from the stands due to his foot injury. Mark Langtry and Maxi Kouogun are doubts and the pair will face a late fitness test prior to kick off on Friday.

 

Sean Coyne is set to return from his one game suspension which kept him out of the trip to Ferrycarrig Park on the last Friday of March.

 

FINN HARPS

Harps, unlike their opponents, are unbeaten in their opening four league fixtures and currently occupy second place in the First Division table.

 

With UCD now under the stewardship of Collie O’Neill, Finn Harps boss Ollie Hogan is under no illusions of to the talent in the side whilst also commending the attractive brand of football on show at Belfield.

 

“UCD always play great football. They have very talented young players in the squad added to the likes of more experienced lads in Michael Leahy, Chris Mulhall and Robbie Benson who for me is the best player in the First Division.

 

“We will have our work cut out to get possession of the ball - let alone get something out of the game.”

 

Harps join Premier Division champions Dundalk as the only two teams heading into Gameweek 5 without conceding a goal, something Horgan will want to continue for as long as possible. However the Galway native admits that his side were lucky not to concede in last weekend’s victory over Cobh Ramblers.

 

“As regards the clean sheet, Cobh had a goal disallowed where we should have defended better - and a number of other occasions in the match as well.”

 

In terms of team news Packie Malley is to remain sidelined while Gareth Harkin and Ruairi Keating will also miss the trip to Dublin due to injury.

 

Referee: Ben Connolly

 

MATCH FACTS

The last time these two met was in September 2009 when it was the College that secured a 5-0 victory in Finn Harps.

 

Harps have not won in Belfield since the turn of the millennium, in fact you have to go all the way back to March 1998 when an FAI Cup victory was recorded in Belfield by the Donegal based club.

 

UCD have won five of the last ten games between the sides with Finn Harps not winning any of those last ten fixtures.

 

BETTING

UCD 11/8; Draw 11/5; Finn Harps 7/4.

 

PREDICTION

UCD 2-1 Finn Harps

 

UCD

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None.

 

Finn Harps

Injured: Packie Mailey, Ruairi Keating, Gareth Harkin.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.