Credit:
UCD -v- Shamrock Rovers
- P.J. Murray
- Thu, Sep 30 2010
Friday night sees UCD host a Shamrock Rovers side quickly marching to their first league title in 16 years, (kick off 7.45pm).
Michael O’Neill’s side currently hold a six point lead over their closest and fiercest rivals Bohemians, while UCD find themselves at the other end of the table trying to avoid slipping into the relegation play-off zone.
The Students are only a point above Galway United and have picked up a mere five points in the last two months. Last week, a last minute Daire Doyle strike denied Martin Russell’s side all three points as they were forced to share the spoils in the Carlisle Grounds.
For Shamrock Rovers the story is much brighter as they have only been beaten once in their last five league matches, that coming at Oriel Park in what was a shock result. Rovers have also managed nine goals in their last two matches without conceding a solitary goal.
The teams last met in Tallaght back in August and the home side cruised to a comfortable 4-1 victory with four Rovers players getting on the scoresheet. Stephen Bradley, Gary Twigg, Billy Dennehy and Dan Murray the four individual scorers.
Russell will be boosted with a number of returnees, having named his 16 year old son in the squad last week Students manager can rely on Ciaran Nangle, Gareth Matthews and Brian Shortall once again. The trio all successfully came through games for the A side unscathed.
Greg Bolger, David McMillan and Paul Corry all come back from international duty with the Ireland U23 squad after securing a vital 1-0 win over Estonia in Tallin midweek. There are no injury worries for the Bellfield outfit with defender Paul Harding still out on the long term injury list.
Michael O’Neill on the other hand is making the short trip sans several players with Dan Murray, Sean O’Connor and Pat Sullivan all ruled out through injury. O’Neill will have to assess James Chambers before the game as the midfielder picked up a slight ankle injury.
Despite the manner of their latest victories Michael O’Neill is not showing any signs of complacency regarding the match.
“We won twice in a week at UCD earlier in the season, in the League and the EA Sports Cup. But to be honest, they were both very tight games. And I don’t envisage it being any different tomorrow. We might have our own aims, however UCD are fighting for their position in the division. They will be well up for the game tomorrow.”
But our last two performances were very good, and we’ll be looking to keep up repeat that tomorrow night and get the three points,” he added.
Paddypower.com Odds: UCD 9/2 Draw 12/5 Shamrock Rovers 4/7
UCD
Injuries: Paul Harding
Suspension: None
Doubtful: None
Shamrock Rovers
Injuries: Dan Murray, Sean O’Connor, Pat Sullivan
Suspensions: None
Doubtful: James Chambers
Referee: R. Winter
Extratime.ie prediction: Rovers to win by a narrow margin 2-1
About P.J. Murray
P.J. generally covers Drogheda games at HD Park and can generally be found at any Dublin ground when of a loose end on a Friday night.