Finn - "We fear no one"
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UCD midfielder Ronan Finn was in confident mood after the Students were paired with Arklow Town in the FAI Ford Cup third round. It was the first time in the Wicklow club's 61-year history that their name was included in the hat and they can take heart from the fact they knocked out UCD's Leinster Senior League team to get this far.
Finn, however, has no intention of being the second UCD team knocked out by Arklow and says that the student’s recent EA Cup win over Galway has given them more belief they can. “We are in the semi finals of the league cup so that’s given us the confidence to do well in any cup competition.
The midfielder has fond memories of the FAI Cup; he scored a brace in his first cup game against Limerick FC in a 3-1 win, but he is wary of the threat Arklow will pose. “We have to give Arklow the respect they deserve because they beat the UCD Leinster Senior team in the last round so I think it will be a good game."
UCD currently lie second in the First Division, just behind leaders Waterford United on goal difference. Finn was part of the UCD squad that reached the FAI Cup semi-finals in 2007 and feels Martin Russell is doing an excellent job at Belfield. “Martin brought in some very good players and things have been going really well. If we can keep that going we will fancy our chances of promotion. It’s great working with him. He is a young manager and puts a lot of emphasis on playing football the right way."
It has been often said that UCD have a history of starting league campaigns very well then suffering a dip in form. The talented playmaker, however, feels that this trend will change this season. “I think that any dip in form was down to the fact that we are all young players so our form tends to change but I think this season we will be a lot more positive at the end.”
UCD are unbeaten on their travels in the league so far this season and the Ireland under-21 international says that’s because the team aren’t afraid of anybody. “We haven’t been intimidated anywhere we have played. We won in Tolka and in Fingal so the team has no fear. We’re always confident wherever we go. It’s a very tough league but I believe that we can get promoted."
On Thursday night the Students host fellow promotion rivals Sporting Fingal in a massive game at the top of the First Division. Finn sees the game as a great opportunity to open up a gap on Liam Buckley’s men. “An eight point lead would is a massive incentive. We know Fingal are a very tough side and they will want to bounce back from last week but we will play our game and hope to get the win."
Finn, however, has no intention of being the second UCD team knocked out by Arklow and says that the student’s recent EA Cup win over Galway has given them more belief they can. “We are in the semi finals of the league cup so that’s given us the confidence to do well in any cup competition.
The midfielder has fond memories of the FAI Cup; he scored a brace in his first cup game against Limerick FC in a 3-1 win, but he is wary of the threat Arklow will pose. “We have to give Arklow the respect they deserve because they beat the UCD Leinster Senior team in the last round so I think it will be a good game."
UCD currently lie second in the First Division, just behind leaders Waterford United on goal difference. Finn was part of the UCD squad that reached the FAI Cup semi-finals in 2007 and feels Martin Russell is doing an excellent job at Belfield. “Martin brought in some very good players and things have been going really well. If we can keep that going we will fancy our chances of promotion. It’s great working with him. He is a young manager and puts a lot of emphasis on playing football the right way."
It has been often said that UCD have a history of starting league campaigns very well then suffering a dip in form. The talented playmaker, however, feels that this trend will change this season. “I think that any dip in form was down to the fact that we are all young players so our form tends to change but I think this season we will be a lot more positive at the end.”
UCD are unbeaten on their travels in the league so far this season and the Ireland under-21 international says that’s because the team aren’t afraid of anybody. “We haven’t been intimidated anywhere we have played. We won in Tolka and in Fingal so the team has no fear. We’re always confident wherever we go. It’s a very tough league but I believe that we can get promoted."
On Thursday night the Students host fellow promotion rivals Sporting Fingal in a massive game at the top of the First Division. Finn sees the game as a great opportunity to open up a gap on Liam Buckley’s men. “An eight point lead would is a massive incentive. We know Fingal are a very tough side and they will want to bounce back from last week but we will play our game and hope to get the win."
