League Preview: UCD -v- Cork City

UCD

UCD welcome league leaders Cork City to the Belfield Bowl on Monday as they seek to extend an impressive record which has seen them beat the Leesiders in their last three visits to Dublin 4.

Last time out in the league, the Students lost 5-0 against Sligo Rovers with former player Paul O’Conor among the scorers for the Bit O’Red. This was their third successive defeat in the league, but manager Aaron Callaghan is still looking at the positives.

“Even though the results haven’t looked great in the last few games, I feel like we have had some very good individual performances. If we keep playing the way we are playing we will soon start picking up points and start moving in the right direction.”

Midfielder Robbie Creevy is also pleased with the way the team has been playing and acknowledges the importance of not getting any more red cards.

“With a tough three defeats behind us against teams that should be challenging for the title come the business end of the year, we can take positives from our performances in those games knowing results could have been different had we kept 11 men on the field. We know there is the potential there in the next few games to pick up points and climb the table again and that starts on Monday when Cork come to the Bowl.”

UCD will be without the services of Tomas Boyle for Monday’s game as the defender was sent off against Sligo on Friday. Returning from suspension however is Hugh Douglas.

On the injury front, Ayman Ben Mohamed is expected to be on the sidelines for a number of weeks with a knee injury while the game against Cork City comes too soon for Dean Clarke (back) who is targeting a return against Derry City next Friday. Ian Ryan will face a late fitness test to see if he has overcome a foot injury.

CORK CITY

Cork City travel to Dublin on Monday morning as league leaders, having beaten Drogheda United 3-1 last Friday night in Turner’s Cross.

The Rebel Army are perhaps unlikely table-toppers, but they remain the only unbeaten side in the division and also have a game in hand over the other title challengers.

Speaking to CorkCityFC.ie ahead of the game, manager John Caulfield was taking nothing for granted ahead of a tricky game.

 “We haven’t won at the ground in two or three seasons. Even in my day, it was a difficult place to go - and we haven’t adapted to that pitch in a long, long time.”

“It’s a very tricky game so while there’s a temptation to make changes, it’s important for me and the management to pick a team that can get the three points. The lads that came in (against Drogheda) did well very - particularly Dave O’Leary. He worked hard during the week and looked sharp when he came on. Darren Murphy also came in and showed great attitude - and that’s what we need at the club.”

Michael Rafter remains sidelined with an ankle injury which is expected to keep him out until the mid-season break, while Danny Morrissey is expected to return to full training next week. Having missed out on pre-season, Caulfield is also expecting Morrissey not to feature until after the mid-season break.

Full-back Brian Lenihan also missed out on Friday’s win over Drogheda with a tight hamstring, but he will be assessed closer to Monday’s game to determine if he is able to play.

There was better news on the injury front with Anthony Elding and Colin Healy returning to the match day squad last Friday. Elding played the first 45 minutes but is expected to start on the bench on Monday with Caulfield telling Extratime.ie that he is still not match fit.

“To be fair to him, maybe I was wrong to play him and maybe he needs a few weeks hard training.”

Referee: Padraigh Sutton

MATCH STATS

UCD moved their home games across campus to the Belfield Bowl in 2008. Since then they have hosted Cork City four times, winning three and losing the other.

This tie has had a winner in each of the last twelve games. The last draw between the sides came in the 1-1 draw on the 22nd September 2006, when a Conor Sammon strike for the Students was cancelled out by a left footed effort from Dan Murray that found the top corner of the net.

Cork City have a positive goal difference of eleven while UCD have a negative goal difference of eleven.

BETTING

UCD 9/2; Draw 5/2; Cork City 4/7.

PREDICTION

UCD 0 Cork City 3

UCD

Injured: Ayman Ben Mohamed (knee), Dean Clarke (back)
Doubtful: Ian Ryan (foot)
Suspended: Tomas Boyle

Cork City

Injured: Michael Rafter (ankle), Danny Morrissey (ankle)
Doubtful: Brian Lenihan (hamstring)
Suspended: None