League Preview: UCD -v- St Patrick's Athletic

UCD

The Students are in action at the Bowl for the second time in four days on Monday, as they host FAI Cup champions St. Patrick’s Athletic. (Kick-off 5pm)

UCD have endured a difficult return to the Premier Division this year. They are currently bottom of the table with four points from their first ten games. Andy Myler’s side will take confidence from holding the likes of Sligo Rovers, Shelbourne Bohemians and Finn Harps to draws in recent weeks.

Last Friday night, the Students lost out 2-0 to Drogheda United and have still yet to win a game this season. A second half penalty from Chris Lyons put Drogheda ahead before a late Eva Weir strike handed UCD another defeat.

St. Patrick’s Athletic

The FAI Cup champions come into Monday’s game in testing from, with just one win in their last five league games. Strikes from Eoin and Mark Doyle against tonight’s opponents  gave Tim Clancy’s side a huge three points at Richmond Park in March.

The Saints form soon dipped however, losing away to Derry City and Shamrock Rovers while Drogheda United and Dundalk held them to draws.

Last Friday night, Rory Gaffney’s second half goal was the difference as Shamrock Rovers overcame St. Pat’s in front of a sold-out Tallaght Stadium. Tim Clancy’s side will be looking to get back to winning ways at the Bowl on Monday evening.

Clancy spoke to the club’s media ahead of the game, and said that although UCD are bottom, they will be taking nothing for granted at the Bowl.

“It was disappointing (against Shamrock Rovers),” said Clancy.



“We had to cross the ball more in the game. There is no point in getting to the final third, dribbling with it and then cutting back and taking players on and not putting the ball into the box. Shamrock Rovers have won the league the last two years at a canter and they make teams defend crosses constantly for 90 minutes, their goal tonight came from a cross.”

“It is something we need to do more of, and it is something we have been speaking about so it is something we will work on. It's going to be another difficult one against UCD. We will prepare across the weekend on Saturday and on Sunday to get ready. We don't have any time to feel sorry for ourselves, it's another massive one on Monday and we will be looking to get a win."

REFEREE: Damien MacGraith

MATCH STATS

UCD’s last win over St. Pat’s came in 2019, when goals from Yoyo Mahdy and Liam Kerrigan earned them a 3-1 win in the FAI Cup second round.

St. Pat’s won two league meetings between the sides in 2019, with the other two ending in draws.



Sam Todd is UCD’s top scorer so far this season with two goals, while Darragh Burns, Mark Doyle and Eoin Doyle have also hit two each.

PREDICTION:

UCD 1 - 2 St. Patrick’s Athletic

UCD

Injured: Jack Keaney

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

St. Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: Paddy Barrett, Jamie Lennon, Adam Murphy

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

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