Preview: Monaghan United vs UCD

Monaghan United will face Premier Division side UCD in the FAI Ford Cup on Friday night (6th June) at Kingspan Century Park with the usual kick off time of 8pm. This is the first time the teams will have met competitively in some time and it was in 1999 when they last met in the Cup. On that occasion UCD gave Monaghan a 4-0 thumping.

Despite UCD’s return of 12 points from 14 games so far this season, Mons manager Mick Cooke is expecting a very tough match. “They (UCD) may be struggling in the Premier Division a little this season but UCD are always a force to be reckoned with. Pete Mahon is a highly competent manager who will be well prepared for this game.”

In Monaghan team news, they have only two doubts for the match. Eoin Lannigan and Ian Malone are doubtful with back and ankle injuries respectively.

UCD will be missing four of regular first team starting XI for Friday's Cup game away to Monaghan United. Paul Byrne, Alan Mahon, Timmy Purcell, and Ronan Finn are all unavailable for the game due to injury.

UCD manager Pete Mahon said that while the injuries were a concern, their timing was fortunate with the squad having two weeks to recover between Friday's match and their next league game.

"It couldn't have come at a better time," said Mahon. "We hope that three of them [Finn, Mahon, and Purcell] will be fit again in time for the Sligo game."

The trip to Monaghan comes a week after the Students recorded just their second league win of the season. "It was a long time coming and it was a bit overdue as well," said Mahon.

The UCD manager said Friday's clash would place UCD in unfamiliar territory. "We'll be favourites for a change," said Mahon. "We're playing away from home and they'll have nothing to lose, so Monaghan will be up for it."

"Every game presents its own challenges. If our boys are up for it then I don't see any reason why we can't win," said the UCD manager.

Monaghan United will also be making a half time presentation to their former Schoolboy footballer Mark Connolly, who has recently signed for Wolverhampton Wanderers, in recognition of his achievements with the Republic of Ireland Under-17 squad to date and to wish him every success in his future career.

The game kicks off at 20:00.