UCD AFC -v- Monaghan United FC
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UCD welcome Monaghan United to the UCD Bowl this Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm) as they look to maintain their 100 percent start to the season. Monaghan, on the other hand, have just one point to show for their efforts so far.
Complacency concern
The Students, who were relegated from the Premier Division last season, would appear to be keen on returning to the top flight immediately. They have collected all six points from their opening two outings with wins over Limerick and promotion rivals Sporting Fingal. “We try to be confident for every game and this will be no different,” said UCD manager Martin Russell. "There’s always a risk of complacency when you get a couple of wins."
Slow start
Contrastingly, Monaghan, who beat UCD in the FAI Cup last term, have yet to taste victory this year, with their first two games garnering just one point, albeit a fantastic 3-3 draw at Longford Town. “UCD will be one of the sides that will impress this year," said Monaghan boss Mick Cooke. "We had a win there against them in the Cup last season - it was a tight game and we had to play out of our skins to beat them. The same type of performance will be required on Friday.
Cooke confident
“Not many teams will take points away from The Bowl this season," Cooke added. "However, I believe that if we play to our true performance - such as we demonstrated in the comeback against Longford and the first half against Shels - and very importantly get a bit of luck, then we can get a result and kick-start our season." On the injury front, Greg Bolger is a major concern for UCD and won’t figure while Peter McMahon faces a late fitness test. Monaghan will be missing Aaron Mooney and Sean Brennan through injury.
extratime.ie prediction: 2-1.
Complacency concern
The Students, who were relegated from the Premier Division last season, would appear to be keen on returning to the top flight immediately. They have collected all six points from their opening two outings with wins over Limerick and promotion rivals Sporting Fingal. “We try to be confident for every game and this will be no different,” said UCD manager Martin Russell. "There’s always a risk of complacency when you get a couple of wins."
Slow start
Contrastingly, Monaghan, who beat UCD in the FAI Cup last term, have yet to taste victory this year, with their first two games garnering just one point, albeit a fantastic 3-3 draw at Longford Town. “UCD will be one of the sides that will impress this year," said Monaghan boss Mick Cooke. "We had a win there against them in the Cup last season - it was a tight game and we had to play out of our skins to beat them. The same type of performance will be required on Friday.
Cooke confident
“Not many teams will take points away from The Bowl this season," Cooke added. "However, I believe that if we play to our true performance - such as we demonstrated in the comeback against Longford and the first half against Shels - and very importantly get a bit of luck, then we can get a result and kick-start our season." On the injury front, Greg Bolger is a major concern for UCD and won’t figure while Peter McMahon faces a late fitness test. Monaghan will be missing Aaron Mooney and Sean Brennan through injury.
extratime.ie prediction: 2-1.
About Gordon Hunt
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