League Preview: UCD -v- Finn Harps

• Brian T Farrell
• Sat, Jul 25 2015




UCD

This week UCD welcome Airtricity First Division football back to the Bowl after a marvellous stint in the Europa League. During a busy month the Students also found time to squeeze a friendly against a Liverpool XI with Samir Belhout scoring in a 1-2 loss against the Anfield outfit.

 

Manager Collie O'Neill has seen his squad grow in confidence with impressive performances over the month of July. Ryan Swan has been the stand out player over the last few weeks. He scored both home and away against F91 Dudelange to earn the Students the chance to play Slovan Bratislava. Despite the Euro exit UCD are in great form coming into this game.

 

It's not only Ryan Swan that has been playing well. The experienced Mark Langtry plus Mick Leahy have made UCD a team to be noticed. Recent additions Ryan McLaughlin and Dan Tobin along with Maxi Kougoun show the strength and depth of the squad.

 

Kick Off at the UCD Bowl is 7:00pm

 

FINN HARPS

Finn Harps are the current table toppers after last week's 2-0 home win over Cobh Ramblers their third win in a row. Goals from Packie Mailey and Wilfried Tagbo leaves Harps on 37 points and they can extend this to forty with a win tonight.

 

Harps boss Ollie Horgan has seen his side score six goals in three games and with none conceded since June. Goalkeeper Ciaran Gallagher saved a penalty against Cobh and his defenders Damien McNulty, Thomas McMonagle, Ciaran Coll and Josh Mailey will be hoping to make it four clean sheets in a row.

 

The team’s goals don't just come the strikers. Midfielders Nathan Boyle, Raymond Foy and wonder goals from Michael Funston over the last few weeks have confirmed Finn Harps as real title contenders.

 

Referee: Andrew Mullally

 

MATCH STATS

UCD and Finn Harps played out a 2-2 draw in Belfield in April 2015. Mick Leahy and Jamie Doyle scored for The Students while Harps players Wilfried Tagbo and Kevin McHugh earned the away team a share of the points.

 

UCD first played in Europe during the 1984/85 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. They drew 0-0 at home against Everton, while they lost just 1-0 at Goodison Park. Everton went on to win the competition.

 

So far this season UCD and Finn Harps have the fewest losses in the league, both have been beaten on only three occasions.

 

BETTING

UCD 23/20; Draw 11/5; Finn Harps 11/5

 

PREDICTION

2-2

 

UCD

Injured: Unknown.   

Doubtful: Unknown.  

Suspended: Chris Mulhall

 

Finn Harps

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None

Unavailable: Keith Cowan