Kildare County -v- UCD
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Bottom-side Kildare County will hope to build on their solid display in their last game against Sporting Fingal when they play host to UCD in Station Road on Saturday evening (kick-off 7.30). Despite suffering yet another defeat, The Thoroughbreds really put it up to Liam Buckley’s side in the Morton Stadium two weeks ago, and it is clear to see that Joey Somerville and his team are growing in confidence with every performance.
It was hard to pick a poor performer from the 11 that started against Sporting Fingal, which was emphasised by the fact that the substitute bench was left untouched for the entire 90 minutes. So, it would be no surprise to see Somerville opting for an unchanged team for this clash, especially as Davy Byrne is still suspended. Although the break from action last week will have given the likes of Darren Kelly and Dean Barrett, along with the other new recruits, more time to get up to the fitness levels required at this level.
It will also have given Philly Hughes and Dave O’Riordan an opportunity to work on their partnership up front, which has shown real signs of blossoming in recent weeks. Any sort of positive result in this match would be an excellent start to what will be an extremely exciting month for Kildare. With crucial league games against Mervue United, Limerick 37 and Monaghan United being supplemented by friendlies against Leyton Orient, Newry City, Dundee United and Sunderland, there will be plenty of football for Kildare fans to get excited about in the next few weeks.
UCD currently find themselves in third place in the First Division table behind fellow Dublin sides Shelbourne and Sporting Fingal. They would probably have taken their current position at the start of the season, but The Students will have been disappointed to have dropped points in recent weeks especially in their last game at home to Finn Harps.
It was clear during this match just how much they missed Ronan Finn, who was suspended for the visit of the Donegal men. He is due back for this match and County will have to make sure that they close him down whenever he gets on the ball because he is an extremely capable player.
However, Greg Bolger remains on the treatment table, while there are doubts over Dave McMillan and Robbie Creevy. Creevy scored in the previous meeting between the sides in the Belfield Bowl back in March with a brace from Ewan McMillan and one from Chris Mulhall giving them a 4-0 victory. This came directly after Kildare’s 8-0 defeat to Sporting Fingal at the end of February, so they will be hoping after their narrow defeat to Sporting last time out that things will be a lot closer when they face Martin Russell’s side this time round.
Extratime.ie Prediction: A 2-1 UCD win.
It was hard to pick a poor performer from the 11 that started against Sporting Fingal, which was emphasised by the fact that the substitute bench was left untouched for the entire 90 minutes. So, it would be no surprise to see Somerville opting for an unchanged team for this clash, especially as Davy Byrne is still suspended. Although the break from action last week will have given the likes of Darren Kelly and Dean Barrett, along with the other new recruits, more time to get up to the fitness levels required at this level.
It will also have given Philly Hughes and Dave O’Riordan an opportunity to work on their partnership up front, which has shown real signs of blossoming in recent weeks. Any sort of positive result in this match would be an excellent start to what will be an extremely exciting month for Kildare. With crucial league games against Mervue United, Limerick 37 and Monaghan United being supplemented by friendlies against Leyton Orient, Newry City, Dundee United and Sunderland, there will be plenty of football for Kildare fans to get excited about in the next few weeks.
UCD currently find themselves in third place in the First Division table behind fellow Dublin sides Shelbourne and Sporting Fingal. They would probably have taken their current position at the start of the season, but The Students will have been disappointed to have dropped points in recent weeks especially in their last game at home to Finn Harps.
It was clear during this match just how much they missed Ronan Finn, who was suspended for the visit of the Donegal men. He is due back for this match and County will have to make sure that they close him down whenever he gets on the ball because he is an extremely capable player.
However, Greg Bolger remains on the treatment table, while there are doubts over Dave McMillan and Robbie Creevy. Creevy scored in the previous meeting between the sides in the Belfield Bowl back in March with a brace from Ewan McMillan and one from Chris Mulhall giving them a 4-0 victory. This came directly after Kildare’s 8-0 defeat to Sporting Fingal at the end of February, so they will be hoping after their narrow defeat to Sporting last time out that things will be a lot closer when they face Martin Russell’s side this time round.
Extratime.ie Prediction: A 2-1 UCD win.
About Daire Walsh
Daire Walsh began reporting for Extratime in 2009, when he covered Kildare County's games in the League Of Ireland First Division. He currently reports on games involving the league's Dublin sides and also Bray Wanderers. … View Full Profile