UCD -v- Sligo Rovers
Credit:
Cup specialists Sligo Rovers make another trip to the capital on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm), to face a UCD side that have lost just once in five games in what could become a crunch tie as the Connacht side look to secure third place in the league.
The Bit O’Red will face St Patrick’s Athletic on the last day of the season and Pats are still in with an outside chance of third spot if Rovers don’t win against the Students tonight.
Paul Cook’s side will be without the suspended Jim Lauchlan, though Derek Foran or Danny Ventre will replace the defender.
Other than Lauchlan, and the long-term absentees Richard Brush and Mauro Almeida, Cook will have a strong squad available to him.
UCD boss Martin Russell admitted he will give some fringe players a run-out now that they have secured their status in the top flight. Russell is likely to give some game-time to Graham Rusk, defenders Michael Kelly and Sean Harding and midfielder Paul O’Conor.
“Don’t get me wrong, we’re committed to producing our optimum performance tomorrow night, particularly against Sligo who are a great footballing team who will not be afraid to allow us to play too,” said Russell. “Given the pedigree of both sides it should be a great spectacle but it’s also a game we will be setting out to win!”
UCD
Injured: n/a
Suspended: n/a
Doubtful: n/a
Sligo Rovers
Injured: Mauro Almeida, Richard Brush.
Suspended: Jim Lauchlan.
Doubtful: none.
Referee: R Rogers
Extratime.ie Prediction: 0-1.
The Bit O’Red will face St Patrick’s Athletic on the last day of the season and Pats are still in with an outside chance of third spot if Rovers don’t win against the Students tonight.
Paul Cook’s side will be without the suspended Jim Lauchlan, though Derek Foran or Danny Ventre will replace the defender.
Other than Lauchlan, and the long-term absentees Richard Brush and Mauro Almeida, Cook will have a strong squad available to him.
UCD boss Martin Russell admitted he will give some fringe players a run-out now that they have secured their status in the top flight. Russell is likely to give some game-time to Graham Rusk, defenders Michael Kelly and Sean Harding and midfielder Paul O’Conor.
“Don’t get me wrong, we’re committed to producing our optimum performance tomorrow night, particularly against Sligo who are a great footballing team who will not be afraid to allow us to play too,” said Russell. “Given the pedigree of both sides it should be a great spectacle but it’s also a game we will be setting out to win!”
UCD
Injured: n/a
Suspended: n/a
Doubtful: n/a
Sligo Rovers
Injured: Mauro Almeida, Richard Brush.
Suspended: Jim Lauchlan.
Doubtful: none.
Referee: R Rogers
Extratime.ie Prediction: 0-1.
About Alan Smith
Alan Smith works as a sub-editor for the Guardian newspaper in London. Originally from Cork, he freelances for several other newspapers and websites. Follow him on twitter @alansmith90. View Full Profile