League Preview: Waterford United -v- UCD

Waterford United take on UCD at the RSC on Saturday evening as the home side draw the curtain on their First Division campaign with the game kicking off at 7.45pm.  For Collie O’Neill and UCD this will be a chance to refine their approach to the play-off with Finn Harps which awaits them as the Dublin side seek to promote themselves straight back to the Premier Division.

WATERFORD UNITED

The Blues have had a season of change.  Roddy Collins took the helm on the sidelines in May and their squad has been moulded and reshaped since.  Only three of their starting XI, who ran out 2-0 winners last weekend at St Coleman’s Park against Cobh Ramblers, started the first game of the season, a 1-1 draw against Athlone Town under the guidance of Tommy Griffin.

The impact Collins has had is not reflected in the Blues results under his tenure.  He has brought a new level of determination, confidence and resilience to his squad.  They have become a unit who play for each other which is hard done when results have been harsh but Blues fans have witnessed a disjointed side developing into a ‘team’.

Speaking of game against Cobh Ramblers, Collins spoke of the character in his squad.

“I thought that the game was a very physical game but the lads showed that character to dig in and they stood up to the challenge because we knew that it wouldn’t be easy with just one outfield substitute that was match fit, so the lads showed great patience and concentration”

Collins has his side playing a brand of football that is fantastic to watch.  They keep the ball on the deck for the best part and stroke it around patiently before finding the perfect moment to strike.

The late season form shown by Waterford United, wins against Cabinteely, Athlone Town and Cobh Ramblers coupled with fine point away against Finn Harps would suggest that they will have much more to offer next season. Even the recent 3-2 home defeat to Champions Wexford Youths was an indication that the Blues have the ability to mix it with the best.  They could well have derailed the Youths automatic promotion ambitions that night at the RSC. However, September’s 3-0 defeat to Shelbourne in Dublin serves as a reminder that there is still much work to be done.

The one thing Roddy Collins brings the table in abundance to compliment his vast experience, is an insatiable appetite to get the very best out of his team and he will demand the very best from them against UCD this weekend.  He will insist on an improved performance from the fantastic outing they had in East Cork.
 

Collins also spoke of his appreciation for the Waterford United fans after the St Coleman’s Park clash whilst indicating that he is already focused on next season.

“The fans were absolutely brilliant again tonight and have been all year for us so we’ll repay them next week after the UCD game. I want to say thanks to everyone next week for what they’ve shown me since I’ve come in but this isn’t the end, it’s just the beginning for us to get building really well for next season.”

Roddy Collins has a habit of getting the very best out of his sides.  Next season could be a very memorable year for Waterford United who would be a very welcome addition to the Premier Division.

Ethan Boyle should be available for selection having missed out on the trip to Cobh last week due to international duty with the Irish U19 side in Limerick but Colum Nugent will miss out through suspension along with the injured Darren Murphy and Thomas Croke.

UCD

UCD have had a season in the First Division which can so far be broken down into three parts.  They opened with a streak of only one win and three defeats in their opening four encounters, followed that with a fantastic unbeaten run of 17 games before they petered out to a current string of results that has witnessed them collect maximum points just once in their last six matches by beating Cabinteely last weekend.

The fourth part, their play-off with Finn Harps, is yet to come but manager Collie O’Neill is delighted to have set the double header up with the Donegal side but is very much aware fot eh task that faces his side.

“At the start of the season we set ourselves the target of making the playoffs, so it is great to have achieved that now and hopefully we can push on now as we look for promotion! The Finn Harps game is going to be very tough, they comfortably beat us a few weeks ago and we know we are going to have to raise our game and be at our best to have a chance”

During their fantastic unbeaten run, the Dublin men looked like a side who could win the league at a canter.  If they can rediscover that form in the play-off then Finn Harps will have to be at their best to match the Students. As will any Premier Division side they may meet in the play-off ‘final’ should they progress.

Collie O’Neil has a chance to tweak and tune his side against Waterford on Saturday.  He can iron out some of the recent creases.  He welcomes Daire O’Connor and Dylan Watts back into the fold following their inclusion in Paul Doolin’s U19 side which played Ukraine which played last weekend.  O’Connor does face a late fitness test before the game.

O’Neill will select his side to take on Waterford without Robbie Benson, Maxi Kouogun was are on the injured list along with long term absentee Greg Sloggett.  Chris Mulhall remains suspended and will not be in contention for a place in a side that Collie O’Neill indicated may include a few faces who will be hoping to bank a place in the all-important play-off ties with Finn Harps.

“It’s going to be tough for us this week as we potentially have five players out injured and then Chris Mulhall is suspended. It is important that we look to get as many of them back fit for the playoffs next week, however this week could give a number of players the chance to force their way into the starting eleven for next week.”

UCD had a much needed win against Cabinteely last week, through a Jamie Doyle goal, to end a winless streak of five league matches and another 3 pts in Waterford would instill confidence in a side who have it in their locker to return to the Premier Division at the first attempt.

This is a feat that relegated sides have found difficult to complete in recent years but UCD are a match for any side when they click and if anybody can make the pieces fit together it is Collie O’Neill.

Referee: Rhona Daly

MATCH STATS

UCD have bagged four points in their last six league matches whilst Waterford United have picked up 10 points.

Top scorers, UCD’s Ryan Swan (12 league goals) and Waterford’s Cory Galvin (5 league goals) have both opened the scoring for their sides on four occasions.

Waterford United have only won one of their last 12 games at home to UCD.

BETTING

Waterford United 11/4; Draw 12/5; UCD 4/5.

PREDICTION

Waterford United 1-1 UCD

Waterford United

Injured: Darren Murphy, Thomas Croke

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Colum Nugent

UCD

Injured: Maxi Kouogun, Robbie Benson, Greg Sloggett.

Doubtful: Daire O’Connor

Suspended: Chris Mulhall