League Preview: UCD -v- Cobh Ramblers

Third placed UCD welcome Cobh Ramblers to the UCD Bowl on Friday evening for this First Division encounter.

UCD

To welcome all the new students to UCD there will be FREE entry to Friday night's SSE Airtricity First Division game against Cobh Ramblers in the UCD Bowl for all UCD Students wearing a UCD Freshers Scarf! Kick off is 7.45pm.

After last week's somewhat unlucky 1-0 defeat to Dundalk in the Quarter Final of the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup, the Students return to league action on Friday night looking to continue the playoff push against fellow playoff hopefuls Cobh Ramblers. With six points separating the sides with just five games remaining, it will be a vital game in the race to clinch one of the playoff spots. Speaking ahead of the game UCD manager Collie O'Neill knows his side are in for another tough challenge against a strong Cobh side but believes his side will relish the test.

"These are the games the players want to be involved in. We are down to the business end of the season now, and the lads will be up for it. They know the challenge ahead over the coming weeks, and know exactly what we have to do to achieve that. It's going to be tough, Cobh will take confidence from their second half performance last week against St Pats and will be confident of coming away with three points."

This will be the fourth time that UCD have faced Cobh this season, with the Dublin side coming out on top in the opening two encounters, while in the last game at St. Colman's Park the sides cancelled each other out in a tight 1-1 draw. Georgie Kelly's volley opened the scoring for UCD after some brilliant one touch passing. Conor Ellis replied for the home side midway through the second half.

UCD’s injury list has improved in recent weeks with a number of players returning to the side. Brian Shortall is the only injury concern for Friday's game as he continues to be absent with the hamstring injury which has kept him out for a number of months.

COBH RAMBLERS

Cobh Ramblers, like the Students, were also in FAI Cup Quarter Final action last weekend. It looked very bleak for Ramblers after 45 minutes last Saturday when their hosts St. Patrick’s Athletic led 3-0 at the break. Cobh roared back into the Richmond Park encounter with goals from Conor Ellis (penalty) and Rob Lehane. 2014 Cup winners Pats were ultimately relieved to hold on 3-2.

Cobh’s promotion push has been derailed somewhat by draws against Shelbourne and Waterford followed by a defeat to second-placed Drogheda United.  A failure by the men in maroon and blue to get a result at the UCD Bowl coupled with a Drogheda victory at home to Shelbourne will mean the first play-off place is out of Cobh’s reach.

Speaking after the St. Pat’s’ game, Cobh boss Stephen Henderson told Soccer Republic; “We didn’t come here to make up the numbers. When we went three-nil down, I was getting embarrassed. We went at it in the second half and came back great.” Some astute switches off the bench contributed to the Cobh revival. 

Henderson continued, “Our goal is to get back into the Premier Division, but we need to ensure that when we get there that we can afford it and that the players are competitive.”  Currently carrying a six-point deficit on UCD and with a goal difference of -3 against +11, one suspects it will be take another season before Cobh earn promotion.

Referee: Michael Connolly

MATCH STATS

UCD were comprehensive winners when the sides last met at the UCD Bowl back in May. First half goals from Greg Sloggett and Gary O’Neill saw UCD 2-0 up at half time.  Ryan Swan made it three before Shane O’Connor netted a late penalty consolation for Ramblers.

In ten matches between the sides since 2008, Ramblers have won just once, a 2-0 Premier Division victory at St. Colman’s Park in 2008.  UCD have won four times and there have been five draws.

Gary O’Neill is UCD’s top scorer this season with 12 goals.  Shane O’Connor heads the Cobh Ramblers’ chart on six.

UCD have scored 26 home league goals this season while Ramblers have managed 14 on the road.

BETTING

UCD 8/11; Draw 11/4; Cobh Ramblers 11/4.

PREDICTION

UCD 1-1 Cobh Ramblers

UCD

Injured: Brian Shortall (hamstring)
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Unknown
Doubtful: Unknown
Suspended: None