Andy Myler backs new batch of UCD talent to shine ahead of First Division return

None

Soon to be former UCD manager Andy Myler has backed the new group of Students to shine in the First Division next year.

Myler will step down as boss at the end of the season after a four-year stint in charge of the club’s first team.

He will be replaced by his assistant Willie O’Connor and Myler said: “I think they'll be more than competitive next year. 

“They have a good group but there's still a bit of development to go in it. 

“I’m not going to say they're going to win the First Division straight away, but they'll be more than competitive in the league. 

“At least one of the full-time teams will be out of the division so we'll see. But there might be one full-time team who will change the dynamic of the division as well. 

“I think they'll be fine. I have no worries of where it will be for the next four or five years.”

In the latest batch of UCD players to come through the ranks, three are away with the Ireland under-19s this week - Daniel Babb, Jesse Dempsey and Luke O’Regan.

And on Thursday night, teenager Matthew Alonge scored his first goal for the club in a 2-1 defeat against Bohemians at the UCD Bowl.

“Daniel Babb had a really good European Championships (with the Ireland under-17s),” Myler added. 

“Luke O’Regan is a late developer but he is coming on strongly. 

“Jesse is going to be a really good left-full as well so they all have a really good quality and with more first-team games they will be a different proposition again. 

“They can really kick on, so I am looking forward to seeing how that all goes.

“It's a testament to all the guy’s coaching (in UCD’s underage set-up). 

“They have nailed it over the last couple of years in terms of player recruitment with lads who will probably end up in the college situation as well. They've done that really well.



“They're the future and it's great that they've come from within.”

But there will always be a place for outside players to come in and make their mark at Belfield through third-level studies.

As such, Galway United’s Mikey McCullagh and Sligo Rovers teenager Niall Holohan are set to join the club’s first-team squad next season as part of their scholarships.

“There's always a place here for lads coming into college because that is actually quite a competitive process,” Myler adds. “You get lads coming in from all over the country.

“Mikey McCullagh is from Galway, and he will be here next year. He is in college but still playing with Galway for the rest of the season. 

“Niall Holohan is playing with Sligo for the rest of the season but is in college here and will step into the first team group as well. 

“They're good players and there’ll always be that element – as there should be. 

“It's a very competitive process and just because you're coming through our under-19s doesn't mean there's not somebody in another part of the country who may be better. 

“There's always a balance to be struck in that. But it is great to see the rewards because you like to see the lads who are working away at the underage levels get the reward of seeing fellas in the first team.”

UCD have just three games left to play this season with fixtures against Cork City, Shelbourne and Dundalk to come.

And Myler is keen for his side to pick up as many points as they can between now and the end of the campaign. 

“Our lads are a great bunch for motivating,” he added. “The effort is always there but you'd love a little bit of luck or a decision. 

“We haven’t had a red card against us, and I don't think we've had a penalty this year. 

“All of those things are extreme to me because I don't think that's ever happened in my career when playing, managing or coaching.

“There are just those little things that maybe just don't go for you when you're in the position that we're in at the moment.

“But let's go and try and get nine points and finish off as well as we can. 

“The season has certainly not been a success in terms of the table and the points and all that kind of stuff. 

“You feel like we've left some stuff behind us but I’m not saying that we would have stayed up or anything like that. I think the pressure is off us as well. 

“We can go and play a bit and give the likes of Matthew games. If you're thinking about a play-off, you're probably forced away from making those types of decisions. 

“So that’s the positive of where we're at as well. Those guys can play and get a chance.”

About Andrew Dempsey

View Full Profile