UCD -v- Galway United

• Daire Walsh
• Thu, Jul 29 2010


Third from bottom Galway United will look for their first win in six league outings when they make the journey to the UCD Bowl to take on seventh placed UCD on Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm). The Students, on the other hand, had an impressive 4-0 victory over Bray Wanderers in their most recent league encounter two weeks ago, although this came after a run of four straight defeats.

Ahead of this game, UCD manager Martin Russell has been dealt a further injury blow with the news that striker Graham Rusk suffered a a painful shin injury in last week's A team match with Bray Wanderers, and he joins long-term absentees Brian Shorthall, Sean Harding and David McMillan to the UCD treatment table. Greg Bolger will also miss the match as a result of his sending-off in the Bray league win on July 16.

However, David O'Connor and Stephen Doyle have both been added to the squad for the visit of The Tribesmen, and they each stand a good chance of seeing action at some point. Front man Ciaran Kilduff has been placed on the standby list.

Speaking to ucdsoccer.com, Russell was quick to express his disappointment at the lack of UCD representation in Damien Richardson's Aitricity League XI squad, who are due to face Manchester United in the Aviva Stadium next Wednesday.

“It's all about opinions, of course, but I must say I am disappointed with our lack of representation in the squad. I honestly feel we have a number of young talented players who have played some fine football in our top division but have been overlooked”, Russell commented.

United welcome back striker Karl Sheppard after suspension for the trip to the Dublin 4 campus, and he may well be joined in the match-day squad by Ciaran Foley, who missed last Sunday's game against Dundalk through injury but may make it in time to feature against last year's First Division Champions. Galway have parted company with Bobby Ryan and Thomas Heary since their last game, with both men joining up with Pat Scully and Limerick.

Speaking to galwayunited.ie ahead of the game, boss Sean Connor revealed that he was disappointed at dropping two points last week when a late goal denied United victory.

“I was gutted not to get the three points, we have thrown away wins a few times at home - Sporting Fingal, UCD, and Bohemians ,we did similar things. It is just so hard to take, especially with all the other stuff that is going on off the pitch”, Connor said.

“We really needed that win to give everybody a lift and to close the gap on the teams ahead of us. At this stage of the season draws at home are no good. Away from home you can take them as a positive and build them up, but at home we have to pick up maximum points as often as we can”.

“Every night should be about getting results because it is a results business. The good teams eke out results. We had enough possession and opportunities to make sure Dundalk wouldn't take anything from the game, but they did”, the former Bohemians supremo added.

Given that both encounters between these sides have ended in draws so far this season, it is reasonable to expect another close fought affair on Friday night. A win for UCD would give them an excellent chance of breaking into the top five, while three points would help to give Galway United some much-needed breathing space over nearest rivals Drogheda United, who will be expecting to beat bottom side Bray Wanderers in Hunky Dory Park.

They may lead to a certain degree of apprehension from both sets of players, which means that a stalemate is the most likely outcome, though it should be an entertaining one nonetheless.

Venue: UCD Bowl, Belfield.
Referee: R. Rogers
Paddypower.com odds: UCD 5/6, Galway United 9/4, Draw 12/5.

UCD
Injured: Graham Rusk, Brian Shorthall, Sean Harding, David McMillan.
Doubtful: Ciaran Kilduff.
Suspended: Greg Bolger.

Galway United
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Ciaran Foley.
Suspended: None.

Extratime.ie prediction: UCD 2-2 Galway United.