Dundalk -v- UCD
Credit:
DUNDALK
Four points adrift of their opponents at the bottom of the table this really is the definition of a must-win game for the Lilywhites. A win would reduce the gap between the sides to just a point and with a game in hand and a handful of games left, all is not lost for the Lilywhites. They do go into the game on the back of an encouraging display last weekend against local rivals Drogheda United where they led for the majority of the game only to see three points snatched away in the closing moments. Their performance for 87 minutes will be a boost to the side but the manner in which they lost is a worry.
Despite their late collapse, the Lilywhites will be hopeful of getting the victory that they so desperately need as they attempt to stave off relegation.
Dundalk go into this weekend’s encounter without the injured trio of Robbie Gaul who has a knee injury, Garreth Brady who is ruled out with an ankle injury and Peter Thomas misses out with a thigh injury. Paul Walsh is doubtful however, after taking a place on the bench last week it is expected that he will return to bolster the defence. Nathan Murphy and Conor McDonald have been suffering from hamstring strains but they should be fit for selection. Top scorer Gary Shanahan will sit this one out through suspension but new signing Barry Conlon is available following confirmation of his arrival on Thursday morning.
Speaking to dundalkfc.com ahead of the game, interim boss Darius Kierans has rued the luck his players have been getting but believes in his squad of players and is expecting an entertaining game this weekend.
“We’re not getting the bounce of the ball but you have to keep going and you have to keep believing that it will bounce for you, that you will get the luck and you will get it at the right times. I have full belief in the players.”
“They(UCD) will come to Oriel Park to win the game and we need to win the game, so it’s going to make for an entertaining night.”
UCD
UCD head to Oriel Park four points ahead of Dundalk and only three points behind Bray Wanderers. They know a win would put some real daylight between themselves and the Lilywhites as they look to preserve their Premier Division status. In recent weeks, they have got some crucial victories against Shelbourne, Cork City and last week against Bray Wanderers. An impressive 3-1 victory last week meant that not only did they close the gap to Bray but the extended it over bottom placed Dundalk. This is a crucial point in the season and they know they can go a long way to ensuring they remain in the division next season with a victory against relegation rivals the Lilywhites.
The Students will have to make do without the injured trio of Tom O’Halloran and Sean Russell through groin injuries respectively while John Kelly is out with a thigh injury. Striker Graham Rusk, Chris Mulhall and Cillian Morrison are all still recovering from their individual injuries. UCD have no suspension worries but they did lose Paul Corry to Sheffield Wednesday last week. A slightly depleted squad for the travelling students has meant that five U19 players have been promoted to the first-team squad for the rest of the season - Defenders Liam Traynor and Sean Coyne, and midfielders Robbie Slater, Ayman Ben Mohamad and Colm Crowe.
Speaking to ucdsoccer.com ahead of the game, manager Martin Russell is expecting a tough game at Oriel Park and knows that last week’s victory over Bray Wanderers was important but is not getting carried away.
“We are playing against a Dundalk team who were very unlucky not to get something at Dundalk last week and new manager Darius Kierans has them playing well and for each other so we know it will be a tough game.
“We managed to get a vital win against Bray but we are continuing to strive to play better and we are not getting carried away with results.”
Referee: Damian Hancock.
MATCH STATS
Dundalk are searching for only their second home league win this season and that was all the way back in March of this year when they beat their opponents, UCD, 2-1 that evening.
Dundalk will be looking to win their first league game under the management of Darius Kierans. So far since he took over the
Lilywhites have 4 draws, 3 losses and just one victory against Malahide United two weeks ago in the FAI Cup.
There hasn’t been a 0-0 draw between the sides since January 1999.
UCD will be looking for their first victory at the border venue since 2007 when they beat Dundalk 2-1 in an FAI Cup tie. Since then Dundalk have won four of the subsequent five meetings at Oriel with the other encounter ending in a draw.
BETTING
Dundalk-11/8 ; Draw-11/5 ; UCD-7/4
PREDICTION
Despite their encouraging performance last week against Drogheda United, Dundalk have struggled at home all season and UCD are in good form. A narrow UCD win, 1-0.
Dundalk Injury News: Robbie Gaul (knee), Gareth Brady (ankle), Peter Thomas (thigh) and Paul Walsh (doubtful).
Dundalk Suspension News: Gary Shanahan.
UCD Injury News: Tom O’Halloran (groin), Sean Russell (groin), John Kelly (thigh), Graham Rusk, Chris Mulhall and Cillian Morrison (all doubtful).
UCD Suspension News: None.
