Season Preview: UCD
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First Division champions UCD are one of the favourites to be relegated, but the underdog tag is one which has suited The Students on many occasions in the past.
UCD continue to compete against the established clubs of the Airtricty League, while they remain one of the best third level sides in Europe, though it is Universitatea Craiova of Romania who can boast top spot in that particular category.
In his first year of management, last year was a major success for manager Martin Russell who led his side to the First Division league title and EA Sports Cup semi-finals. However, his second year will be a much tougher task with survival being UCD’s main aim.
Despite major player changes for clubs across the league, UCD have brought in just one player and lost two, though the loss of last year's captain Ronan Finn is a huge blow.
Finn, the First Division Player of the Year, was hugely influential last year with many standout displays in midfield. The loss of his ability to score from midfield will be a problem for The Students and Russell will look to either Greg Bolger or Robbie Creevy to fill that gap.
Elsewhere, the loss of John Reilly’s trickery on either the right or left of midfield is a blow, but Russell’s move to re-sign the pacy Shane Fitzgerald for his second spell at Belfield could be a shrewd move.
Last season’s success in the Under 20’s and the recent success in the past month of the University side - winning the Harding Cup and the Colleges and Universities competition - is further evidence that more talented youngsters are coming through the system at UCD. The breakthrough of Graham Rusk from the U-20 side into the first team set-up is a prime example of that.
If UCD have a successful season, they will again look to their stand-out individuals from last year to make the difference again. Former Belvedere youth player Paul Corry will catch the eye and should UCD have a good season, he is likely to be one of the key instigators of that.
Russell will look to Ciarán Kilduff and Dave McMillan to continue their fine goalscoring form from last season, while new club captain Evan McMillan should provide the same outstanding defensive performances that he displayed last year.
UCD’s pre-season form has been very encouraging having registered 2-0 friendly wins against both Longford Town and Monaghan United, while the 2-1 extra-time win over Bangor Celtic in the Leinster Senior Cup first round was also great preparation. Should UCD repeat the standard of football they produced last season, they could be the surprise package of the season.
Team: UCD
Manager: Martin Russell
Players In: Shane Fitzgerald (Galway United)
Players Out: Ronan Finn (Sporting Fingal), Timmy Purcell (Waterford United), John Reilly (Released)
One to Watch: Paul Corry
Prediction: 9th
UCD continue to compete against the established clubs of the Airtricty League, while they remain one of the best third level sides in Europe, though it is Universitatea Craiova of Romania who can boast top spot in that particular category.
In his first year of management, last year was a major success for manager Martin Russell who led his side to the First Division league title and EA Sports Cup semi-finals. However, his second year will be a much tougher task with survival being UCD’s main aim.
Despite major player changes for clubs across the league, UCD have brought in just one player and lost two, though the loss of last year's captain Ronan Finn is a huge blow.
Finn, the First Division Player of the Year, was hugely influential last year with many standout displays in midfield. The loss of his ability to score from midfield will be a problem for The Students and Russell will look to either Greg Bolger or Robbie Creevy to fill that gap.
Elsewhere, the loss of John Reilly’s trickery on either the right or left of midfield is a blow, but Russell’s move to re-sign the pacy Shane Fitzgerald for his second spell at Belfield could be a shrewd move.
Last season’s success in the Under 20’s and the recent success in the past month of the University side - winning the Harding Cup and the Colleges and Universities competition - is further evidence that more talented youngsters are coming through the system at UCD. The breakthrough of Graham Rusk from the U-20 side into the first team set-up is a prime example of that.
If UCD have a successful season, they will again look to their stand-out individuals from last year to make the difference again. Former Belvedere youth player Paul Corry will catch the eye and should UCD have a good season, he is likely to be one of the key instigators of that.
Russell will look to Ciarán Kilduff and Dave McMillan to continue their fine goalscoring form from last season, while new club captain Evan McMillan should provide the same outstanding defensive performances that he displayed last year.
UCD’s pre-season form has been very encouraging having registered 2-0 friendly wins against both Longford Town and Monaghan United, while the 2-1 extra-time win over Bangor Celtic in the Leinster Senior Cup first round was also great preparation. Should UCD repeat the standard of football they produced last season, they could be the surprise package of the season.
Team: UCD
Manager: Martin Russell
Players In: Shane Fitzgerald (Galway United)
Players Out: Ronan Finn (Sporting Fingal), Timmy Purcell (Waterford United), John Reilly (Released)
One to Watch: Paul Corry
Prediction: 9th
