Bohemians -v- UCD

BOHEMIANS

Bohemians return to league action as a “wounded animal” on Sunday when UCD come to Dalymount Park.

“We’re in for a very tough game on Sunday,” said manager Aaron Callaghan. “We are a wounded animal now. We can hope that the lads take stock of what happened on Thursday night and put a bit of anger into the performance. They have a point to prove to themselves.”

Callaghan will show his former club the respect they deserve, having seen UCD recently against Derry City and still wondering how they did not take a point from the game. Sunday’s match brings Callaghan up against the club where he was coach for two seasons, and it pitches UCD re-signing David McMillan against his brother Evan.

Dinny Corcoran (shoulder) and Dave Mulcahy (hip) remain out but early indications are that there are no other injury concerns from the unsuccessful expedition to Iceland. Bohemians’ heaviest defeat of the season came on Thursday to Thór Akureyri, less than two weeks after a 4-0 rout of Shamrock Rovers in their last home league game.

“I’m disappointed for the players more than anything else,” said Callaghan. To pick them up, “you put an arm around the shoulder, you reflect on the mistakes, and you say to them that at any level in football, not just in Europe, you cannot be giving goals away”.

Having dominated the game for over half-an-hour and gone a goal up, Bohemians went behind through defensive errors.

“We had a fantastic start to the game, and scored the goal I knew we would score when we got there. Then it was a calamity of errors,” said Callaghan. “You can set up tactically and make all the plans you like, but then lads make errors, as they did. But we also made the cardinal sin of not dealing properly with set pieces. At 3-1 down, we’re thinking, what can we do? Do we defend and keep the scoreline respectable, or do we go and try and do something about it? We changed things around, put the centre-halves up front, tried to nick a goal. We had two chances to make the score 3-2 and change the momentum of the game. It was a mad game. If you look at that result, it looks as if we surrendered the game. But we were chasing the second goal and that made us very vulnerable at the back.”

For the younger players, there will be much to learn, the manager added. But for Owen Heary, it was an especially disappointing way to mark his 41st and probably last appearance in European competition. 

UCD

UCD make the trip across the city on Sunday to take on Bohemians in this 3pm showdown. Last time out, the Students were once again left to rue their bad luck and missed opportunities as they were defeated 1-0 by Derry City. Martin Russell’s men dominated possession of the ball but squandered several chances to get something from the game.

UCD head into Sunday’s clash at the foot of the Airtricity League table but are within touching distance of Dundalk and Bray Wanderers. Speaking after last week’s game, Russell spoke of the disappointment of not getting anything from the game despite the performance.

“We tried hard to get that equaliser but just didn’t find it. We’re disappointed with not getting any points again but it’s hard to argue with the young players when they’ve put so much effort into the game.” He told ucdsoccer.com

Back in April, Bohemians came out 2-1 winners at the UCD Bowl despite Graham Rusk’s second half penalty. However, Aaron Callaghan’s side were in European action on Thursday and the Students will be looking to take advantage of any tired bodies on Sunday afternoon.

UCD have been boosted by the timely return of striker David McMillan this week. The 23 year old has returned from a brief spell in Australia with FC Olympic and is set to make his comeback at Dalymount Park. McMillan returns to the Students after a successful spell that saw him play his part in the 2009 First Division Championship winning team and the team that retained Premier Division status in 2010 The arrival of the former St.Pats forward is a massive boost for Russell and his squad considering the squad has been down to its bare bones in recent weeks due to injuries.

“Dave McMillan’s clearance has come through, great to have a player of his quality back in the fold. Dave is one of the players that has come through the system here and I am sure that he will add to what we have” Russell added.

Goal keeper Ger Barron remains side-lined with a toe injury while top scorer Graham Rusk won’t return to action for another few weeks at least- he has a troublesome knee. Cillian Morrison (ankle), Sean Russell (back) and Chris Mulhall (groin) will all miss the game. Looking ahead to the game, the UCD boss is confident his squad can turn performances into results and as a result climb the league table.

“We should have got more from the Derry game but again when you take the positives from the game we keep creating chances and it is no surprise that these lads are regularly being looked at by teams here and across the water. This group of players has a fantastic commitment to the game and also to the off the field studies which only proves that UCD is the best place for young players to be. The path these players are following is the right one for any young player in Ireland and though some people may ridicule it we will continue to do what is right.”

“Bohemians have assembled a squad that are achieving some good results but we have belief in our own group of players and again if we play to our capabilities we can achieve a positive result on Sunday.” He concluded.

Referee: John Grimes.

MATCH STATS

Bohemians scored only one goal in their first six league games of the season, but have only failed to score in one of their ten league games since then.

Of the last nine league meetings, UCD have only won once with Bohemians winning seven times.

UCD last had a game against Derry City on 6^th July. Since then Bohemians have travelled roughly 3,500km with away trips to Cork and Iceland.

BETTING

Bohemians 10/11; Draw 9/4; UCD 3/1.

PREDICTION

Bohemians 1 UCD 1

Bohemians Injury News: Dinny Corcoran (shoulder), Dave Mulcahy (hip).

Bohemians Suspension News: None.

UCD Team News: Ger Barron (toe), Graham Rusk (knee), Cillian Morrison (ankle), Sean Russell (back), Chris Mulhall (groin).

UCD Suspension News: None.