Play-off Final Preview: UCD -v- Waterford

UCD celebrating their play-off victory in 2021

UCD celebrating their play-off victory in 2021 Credit: Paul Dolan (ETPhotos)

UCD

UCD come into this game seeking to avoid relegation back to the First Division after just 12 months in the top flight. They are facing the side who they defeated to gain their place in the Premier Division last year as they take on Waterford once again at Richmond Park (kick-off 7.45pm)

They are coming in with a degree of momentum at the right time. Seven points from their final four matches meant they ended the season well. Their sole defeat in that run coming against the league champions Shamrock Rovers. 

Having made seven changes for that encounter, they still acquitted themselves well. A goal in the first and final ten minutes proving to be the difference. Andy Myler will be back in the dugout after serving the final game of his suspension due to his red card against Sligo Rovers.  

Looking back on the year, the Students still have a chance of retaining their top flight status. Having been promoted at the end of last season, most fans ambitions were to just survival. Anything more than that would been a successful season. It seemed all hopes were dashed after a terrible start to the campaign. 

Five points from their opening 14 games and a mere five goals scored in their first eight made many believe the step up was proving beyond them with a thrashing at the Brandywell being a particular low point. 

Gradually they started to become more competitive. A first win arrived at Finn Park, and they began clinging on to the Donegal side in the scrap to stay away from automatic relegation. Crucially they ended with three wins against Harps. 

Wins were a rare commodity but that finish to the season proved vital as they finished six points clear of Harps who went down. With the play-off now to come the Students will want to prove they deserve their spot and play Premier Division again next year. 

WATERFORD



Having finished the regular season in second place behind Cork City in the First Division, the play-offs were the sole route available to Waterford in order to gain promotion back to the top flight. The promotion semi-finals against Treaty United proved to be a rollercoaster.

The Blues having cruised to a comfortable 4-1 victory away in Limerick. They found themselves 3-1 down just before half-time in the return leg with a possible collapse on the cards. They regained their composure to eventually finish off the job which led to a game against Galway United. Waterford took advantage of slips from their opponents to win 3-0 thanks to a Junior Quitirna double.  

Blues boss Danny Searle was wary of his side being named as favourites. “We go there with confidence from our recent form but also in the knowledge that UCD are a good side. They’ve shown over the past few weeks that they can compete against Premier Division teams, so we are expecting a very tough match”.

Given their form Searle is looking for his side to focus on their strengths. “Our focus has been on us. We know we have quality in our squad and can hurt teams. We’ve shown that with our form and our Cup run; now we need to perform again to get this club back to the Premier Division.”

MATCH STATS

Positions were reversed this time last season as the sides came into this play-off final. UCD overcame Treaty United in the play-offs for the right to face a Waterford side wracked by injuries and uncertainty after manager Marc Bircham was sacked just a few days before.



Anthony Wordsworth gave the Premier Division outfit a dream start, with a goal within the first five minutes. The Students got themselves back into the game and found themselves ahead by half-time. Dara Keane and Colm Whelan scoring the goals that ultimately proved to be the winner for UCD as they looked forward to top-flight football after two seasons away from it. 

BETTING

UCD 7/5; Draw 23/10; Waterford 6/4.

PREDICTION

UCD 1-2 Waterford   

UCD

Injured: Colm Whelan

Suspended: N/A

Waterford FC

Injured: Roland Idowu

Suspended: N/A

 

About Philip Morrissey

Philip is a Cork City fan for his entire adult life. From bad times to good, whether this was taking on some major European sides or in the First Division. Philip went back to college … View Full Profile