Mervue United -v- UCD

Mervue United play at home for the second week in row when they take on First Division leaders UCD this Friday night at Terryland Park (kick-off 7.45 pm). Both teams had contrasting results last weekend as Mervue recorded their third win of the season following a stirring second half performance to defeat Longford Town while UCD suffered their first defeat of the season going down 1-0 to Wexford Youths at Belfield after six wins on the bounce.
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Mervue have been improving with every game this season and have shown they fear no team in this division with some very good performances in their seven games to date, with the only real blip away to Limerick in their second game going down 4-1 while missing several first team regulars. Johnny Glynn’s side have shown real character in their games since that bad defeat, putting ten points on the board while moving into a comfortable seventh mid table position in their first season in senior football.
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Glynn spoke heartily of the club's first home triumph over Longford Town: "Last week's result has just shown people outside the club what everyone in Mervue Utd already knew; that this team possesses great character and spirit. The lads have been very focused in training this week and are fully aware of the size of the task ahead of them on Friday night. UCD have a fantastic squad and their results this season prove that. This game is another test for us and if we give 100% for 90 minutes anything is possible."

UCD, on the other hand, have had an excellent start to life in the First Division, winning their first six games before last weeks rather surprising defeat at home to an improving Wexford Youths side. In those six opening wins Martin Russell’s side have recorded excellent wins over fellow promotion favourites Sporting Fingal (1-0) and Shelbourne FC (3-1) and have scored fifteen goals while only conceding four. Paddy Power surprisingly still quote the students at 11/2 to win the First Division title despite their good start to the campaign with Sporting Fingal, Shelbourne and Waterford Utd all ahead of them in the betting.
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Mervue boss Johnny Glynn will select from an almost fully fit squad with Nigel Keady (knee) and Noel McDonnell (groin) still on the injury list. Ollie Keogh could also start his first game of the season after impressing as a second half substitute last weekend, while keeper Eoin Martin is back in full training and will challenge Ryan Griffin for the keeper’s jersey.
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Martin Russell will welcome back Brian Shortall from suspension while he will be without Andy Boyle who is on international duty with the Irish Schools team, who play the English Schools in Waterford, also on Friday night. Robbie Creevy (ankle) is a major doubt for the students while Sean Harding is definitely out while Gareth Matthews is back in training but won’t be fit enough for Friday nights game.
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These two sides meet for the first time in League action on Friday night but they have met before in the 1984 FAI Cup first round when UCD were defending cup champions. UCD scraped through on a 2-1 scoreline on that occasion against the then non-league side.
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Mervue have won three of their last four games, with the only blemish being a late defeat to Shelbourne proving they are emerging as a capable First Division outfit. UCD lost their perfect record last week when losing at home to Wexford Youths, so will be hoping to get back to winning ways in their promotion charge but will have to be on top of their game to gain any dividend from this challenge out west.
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Extratime.ie Prediction: 1-1 Draw