UCD vs St Patricks Athletic
Credit:
UCD welcome St Pats to the Belfield Bowl on Sunday in a game that both teams will want to win for very different reasons. St Pats will want to keep in touch with leaders Bohemians, whilst UCD will want to put some points between them and the relegation zone.
Ian Bermingham is the only definite absentee from the UCD team for the visit. Brian King and Alan Mahon are also doubtful but it is too early to say at this stage if the pair will be available for the tie.
The Students hope to give new signing Darren Meenan his first run. Meenan joined from Monaghan, after scoring against Shelbourne midweek. The striker will train with UCD on Friday before a decision is made on whether to play him on Sunday.
Three players left UCD during the transfer period. Derek Doyle, Paul Byrne and Darren Forsyth have moved on to other clubs. UCD manager Pete Mahon said he hopes the team can focus more on matters on the pitch with the end of the transfer season.
“The games are running out sharp. We have to start winning games,” said Mahon. The UCD manager is hopeful the extra rest his side enjoyed following last week’s defeat to Bohemians will serve the team well.
“Hopefully the rest will do us good,” said Mahon. “We trained three times this week and we trained hard.”
Having won both legs of a European tie for the first time in their history this week, St Patrick’s Athletic will need to refocus on domestic matters.
The Saints are still without the injured Dave Partridge, who is still three weeks away from a return to training, while Gary O’Neill remains out with a groin injury. However, Noel Haverty is back in contention having recovered from a twisted ankle.
John McDonnell added to his squad this week with the capture of Jaroslow Bialek and John Murphy, from Resovia Rzeszow and Chester City respectively. Murphy is unlikely to feature but Bialek performed well as a guest player for Shelbourne in their mid-week friendly with Glasgow Celtic and goes straight into the first team squad.
Saints assistant boss Trevor Croly is under no illusions about the challenge that Pats will face from the Students.
“UCD is, and always has been a tough game, especially away from home. They’re a reasonably young side and with that come agility, fitness and enthusiasm.
“They’re a very difficult side to break down too and looking at their results over the season nobody has found it easy against them.”
Kick off on Sunday at the Belfield Bowl is 3 p.m.
