Ronan Finn set for injury layoff as UCD boss Willie O'Connor rues Wexford defeat

UCD boss Willie O'Connor (left) and Ronan Finn

UCD boss Willie O'Connor (left) and Ronan Finn Credit: John Crothers (left) & Martin Doherty

Andrew Dempsey reports from the UCD Bowl

UCD boss Willie O’Connor has revealed that skipper Ronan Finn is set for an extended spell on the sidelines with injury.

The former Shamrock Rovers midfielder has been missing from the Students’ starting XI for the previous two games after being forced off late on against Treaty United last month.

And it has since emerged that the Dubliner, 36, will be out for the next two months according to O’Connor.

“Ronan has a knee injury so he’ll be out for two months or so,” the Buncrana man told extratime.com. “It’s a massive blow for us.

“An experienced player can make all the difference with the communication and organisation so it’s a big loss obviously. But that’s something the rest of the lads have to take on.”

Finn sported a knee brace when watching on from the stands at the UCD Bowl on Friday night as the Students slumped to a 2-1 defeat against Wexford.

The Sky Blues are also without defenders Luke O’Regan and Alex Dunne through injury – although the pair are likely to return soon.

“Alex Dunne is just back from a long-term injury,” the UCD chief added.

“We’re just being cautious with him and Luke O’Regan is out as well but hopefully they will be back in the next week or two.”



UCD fell 2-0 behind on Friday night thanks to goals from Kian Corbally and Sean McHale.

And while they rallied late on with Eanna Clancy scoring, they ran out of time to salvage a draw.

“It’s disappointing with the two goals that we gave away,” O’Connor said.

“The first was a mistake and the second came from a corner-kick. We’ve got to rectify it and do it very soon. It’s costing us in terms of results.

“The second goal for Wexford came at a killer time when we were getting on top and getting into the final third a little bit more and getting a foothold in the game probably for the first time.

“That second goal was a killer and it’s probably too late when we got our goal.”



With three losses on the spin, the Students will be acutely aware of their need to defeat Athlone Town next weekend at home.

“It’s a massive game for us,” O’Connor explained. “They have won two, drawn one and lost one in their first four.

“If we can get ourselves right and play as well as we can, we can give anyone a game.

“But if we’re at that two percent off we’ll struggle to win any game so it’s just about getting that consistency and bite to get us ready.”

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