Credit:
Derry City -v- UCD
- Jamie Mahon
- Thu, Sep 08 2011
Title chasers Derry City will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to 15 league games when they face a U.C.D outfit who will be missing five players through injury and suspension at the Brandywell on Friday night.
Derry have only conceded three goals at the Brandywell all season in the league and are the country’s top scoring side so they will feel confident that three points is well within their capabilities. The only injury worry Stephen Kenny has is Gareth McGlynn although he is expected to make the match against Drogheda on Monday. Patrick McEleney and Stephen McLaughlin have been in particularly good form of late and Eamon Zayed will be looking to get back amongst the goals having not scored in his last four games.
Stephen Kenny was a little concerned that some players may have their eye on the Shamrock Rovers/Sligo game and said “It is irrelevant to us what happens in Dublin. I can understand people's interest in that game, but UCD have shown that if you’re off your game they can punish you so we have to remain focused. Our ambition is to get another victory and to do that we must be decisive and show our hunger.”
Martin Russell on the other hand doesn’t have his sorrows to seek with Danny Ledwith (ill), Sean Harding (groin), Michael Leahy (suspended), Ciaran Nangle (shin) and Cillian Morrison (hip flexor) all expected to be unavailable for the game. They have also conceded ten goals in their last two games and the manager admitted they would be the underdogs.
“We’ve been on the end of one or two heavy defeats this year, including one at the Brandywell earlier this season and responded well so we will look for that again this Friday. Derry have impressed everyone this season with how they have adapted to the premier division. They have good players and a good blend of youth and experience so it hasn’t surprised me how well they have done. However we certainly will not be coming up to Derry to lie down.”
With so much at stake coming into the last eight games of the season, it’s difficult to envision anything other than a comprehensive home win here.
Derry City
Injured: Gareth McGlynn (ankle).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
UCD
Injured: Danny Ledwith (Ill), Sean Harding (groin), Ciaran Nangle (shin), Cillian Morrison (hip flexor).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Michael Leahy.
Referee: Derek Tomney.
Paddy Power Odds: Derry City 1/8, Draw 6/1, U.C.D 18/1.
Extratime prediction: 4-0 to Derry City.
About Jamie Mahon
Jamie Mahon joined the Extratime team at the beginning of 2011. Hailing from the North West, Jamie reports on all things Derry City. He can be contacted at theearcher@hotmail.com or on Twitter @JamieMahon23.