UCD -v- Athlone Town
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UCD welcome Athlone Town to the Belfield Bowl on Friday night hoping to go top of the table for at least 24 hours. (kick-off 19:45).
This will be UCD’s second home game this week having crashed out of the EA Sports Cup on Tuesday night against promotion rivals Waterford United. UCD manager Martin Russell was disappointed with the defeat in the EA Sports Cup to Waterford on Tuesday.
"The first half we were in it, we were probably on top but in the second half, they worked off corners and free kicks and got the ball in the box and we weren't able to manage it. The lads are disappointed but they want more days like that, semi finals and finals." said Russell.
Russell expects that, despite beating Athlone away earlier in the season, they will provide a difficult challenge to the promotion chasing Students on Friday.
"You see what they did with Shelbourne, they came from 2-0 down to get a point. Although we've beaten them, we know that they're capable of putting in a performance and getting a result."
In UCD team news, Robbie Creevy is still unavailable. Sean Harding is back in training after picking up an injury against Mervue two weeks ago but won't be available on Friday. Chris Mulhall and Ronan Finn are suspended.
UCD will miss the suspended Chris Mulhall and captain Ronan Finn but Russell is looking forward to their replacements stepping up to the mark.
"It gives the other lads an opportunity. Mulhall and Finn have done great, they've been a big part of what we've been doing so far but I'm looking forward to seeing how the lads who play on Friday take their chance."
In Athlone team news, new signings Andrei Georgescu and Davie O’Connor are both set to make their debuts pending no problems with their registrations.
Brendan Place has injury worries with the clubs leading goalscorer Noel McGee, Kevin Horan and Kevin Williamson. Midfielder Mick Byrnewas informed this week that he will miss up to ten weeks with his groin injury.
16 year old, Tom O’Halloran, now a regular starter for the first team, will also be unavailable due to International commitments this weekend.
Extratime.ie Prediction: UCD to shade it 2-1.
This will be UCD’s second home game this week having crashed out of the EA Sports Cup on Tuesday night against promotion rivals Waterford United. UCD manager Martin Russell was disappointed with the defeat in the EA Sports Cup to Waterford on Tuesday.
"The first half we were in it, we were probably on top but in the second half, they worked off corners and free kicks and got the ball in the box and we weren't able to manage it. The lads are disappointed but they want more days like that, semi finals and finals." said Russell.
Russell expects that, despite beating Athlone away earlier in the season, they will provide a difficult challenge to the promotion chasing Students on Friday.
"You see what they did with Shelbourne, they came from 2-0 down to get a point. Although we've beaten them, we know that they're capable of putting in a performance and getting a result."
In UCD team news, Robbie Creevy is still unavailable. Sean Harding is back in training after picking up an injury against Mervue two weeks ago but won't be available on Friday. Chris Mulhall and Ronan Finn are suspended.
UCD will miss the suspended Chris Mulhall and captain Ronan Finn but Russell is looking forward to their replacements stepping up to the mark.
"It gives the other lads an opportunity. Mulhall and Finn have done great, they've been a big part of what we've been doing so far but I'm looking forward to seeing how the lads who play on Friday take their chance."
In Athlone team news, new signings Andrei Georgescu and Davie O’Connor are both set to make their debuts pending no problems with their registrations.
Brendan Place has injury worries with the clubs leading goalscorer Noel McGee, Kevin Horan and Kevin Williamson. Midfielder Mick Byrnewas informed this week that he will miss up to ten weeks with his groin injury.
16 year old, Tom O’Halloran, now a regular starter for the first team, will also be unavailable due to International commitments this weekend.
Extratime.ie Prediction: UCD to shade it 2-1.
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