2020 Season Preview: UCD

Manager: Andy Myler.

Stadium: UCD Bowl.

Players in: Colm Whelan (Waterford), Michael Gallagher (Finn Harps), Michael O'Keane (Bohemians).

Players out: Tom Murphy (Wexford), Liam Scales (Shamrock Rovers), Dan Tobin (Wexford), Jason McClelland (St Patrick’s Athletic), Conor Kearns (St Patrick’s Athletic), Richie O’Farrell (Drogheda United), Charlie Smith (Wexford), Dan Mullen (Cherry Orchard).

Extratime.ie Key Man: Yoyo Mahdy

A lot has been said about the young striker and it was thought he would make a move elsewhere.

That hasn’t happened and the Irish-Egyptian striker should prove to be the difference for The Students in the First Division this season after holding his own in the Premier Division last year

Extratime.ie One to Watch: Colm Whelan

Myler has been quite vocal about the former Waterford striker and has praised his performances at college level football in the Collingwood Cup and Harding Cup.

It just remains to be seen if he can make the step up to League of Ireland level.

How they did last season:

League: Relegated

Although they played a brand of football that was pretty on the eye and was well respected by most fans in the league, the Students lacked the experience and grit to save themselves from the drop.

Stand out results from last season came against Bohemians, when they beat their Dublin rivals 1-0 at the UCD Bowl, in what looked like a bit of a revival for the club, only to be beaten 10-1 a few weeks later by the Gypsies at Dalymount Park.

The change in manager surprised a few, with Collie O’Neill being replaced by Maciej Tarnogrodzki who was then replaced for the new season by Andy Myler.

FAI Cup:

Quarter-Final Stage, (Losing 4-0 to Sligo Rovers)

EA Sports Cup:

Quarter-Final Stage (Losing 3-1 to Dundalk)

What to expect this season:

UCD are considered to be the League of Ireland's yo-yo club - And despite losing high profile names such as goalkeeper Conor Kearns and defender Liam Scales, they always seem to be able to bounce back and compete for promotion.

And this season should be no different, despite it looking like one of the most competitive First Division title races in years.

They could easily be top of the pile at the end of the season or come fifth behind the likes of Galway, Longford, Cabinteely and Drogheda.

Title odds: 10/1.

First game: Wexford (away).