EA Cup - UCD -v- Derry City
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UCD and Derry City meet at the Belfield Bowl for the second time in four days on Monday night and this time, instead of three points, there is a place in the semi-finals of the EA Sports Cup at stake. (Kick off, 7.45pm)
Last Friday night the two sides fought out a 2-2 draw in The Airtricity Premier Division, a result that stands in stark contrast to the 7-0 hammering that Derry handed out to the ‘Student’s at the Brandywell back in early May.
Friday’s game represented Derry’s fourth draw in their last five league games but they have suffered only one league defeat in their last ten and remain one of the hardest teams to beat. But UCD boss Martin Russell will take heart from the fact that Derry’s Cup form is unproven this year.
Derry’s route to this stage of the competition has been relatively easy, with the earlier regional rounds throwing up First Division strugglers Salthill Devon and Mervue United as opposition. Indeed, Salthill were only overcome after extra time while Mervue were narrowly defeated 2-1 at the Brandywell.
But Derry’s most dramatic Cup performance of 2011 came at Ferrycarrig Park a few weeks ago when Wexford Youths bounced the Candystripes out of the FAI Cup, winning by the astonishing score-line of 4-1.
UCD, meanwhile, have accounted for Longford Town and Drogheda United in the early rounds, winning 3-2 on both occasions. Their league form, however, is more of a worry. Since losing 7-0 up in Derry, Russell’s men have won only one league game and were on a run of seven straight defeats until Friday’s 2-2 draw.
Derry midfielder Barry Molloy will miss out on Monday night having damaged his ankle while UCD will be without Dean Marshall and Robbie Creevy.
UCD
Injured: Dean Marshall (illness), Robbie Creevy (leg).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Derry City
Injured: Barry Molloy (ankle).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Referee: Rob Rogers.
Paddy Power Odds: UCD 4/1; Draw 5/2; Derry 8/13.
Extratime prediction: A surprise 2-1 win for the home side.
Last Friday night the two sides fought out a 2-2 draw in The Airtricity Premier Division, a result that stands in stark contrast to the 7-0 hammering that Derry handed out to the ‘Student’s at the Brandywell back in early May.
Friday’s game represented Derry’s fourth draw in their last five league games but they have suffered only one league defeat in their last ten and remain one of the hardest teams to beat. But UCD boss Martin Russell will take heart from the fact that Derry’s Cup form is unproven this year.
Derry’s route to this stage of the competition has been relatively easy, with the earlier regional rounds throwing up First Division strugglers Salthill Devon and Mervue United as opposition. Indeed, Salthill were only overcome after extra time while Mervue were narrowly defeated 2-1 at the Brandywell.
But Derry’s most dramatic Cup performance of 2011 came at Ferrycarrig Park a few weeks ago when Wexford Youths bounced the Candystripes out of the FAI Cup, winning by the astonishing score-line of 4-1.
UCD, meanwhile, have accounted for Longford Town and Drogheda United in the early rounds, winning 3-2 on both occasions. Their league form, however, is more of a worry. Since losing 7-0 up in Derry, Russell’s men have won only one league game and were on a run of seven straight defeats until Friday’s 2-2 draw.
Derry midfielder Barry Molloy will miss out on Monday night having damaged his ankle while UCD will be without Dean Marshall and Robbie Creevy.
UCD
Injured: Dean Marshall (illness), Robbie Creevy (leg).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Derry City
Injured: Barry Molloy (ankle).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Referee: Rob Rogers.
Paddy Power Odds: UCD 4/1; Draw 5/2; Derry 8/13.
Extratime prediction: A surprise 2-1 win for the home side.
About Simon O'Gorman
Simon O'Gorman began reporting for Extratime in 2010. He remembers Milltown and Flower Lodge and, back in the mists of time, saw Diego Maradona play at Lansdowne Road. He now lives in Co Kildare and … View Full Profile