Credit:
Dundalk -v- UCD
- Gordon Hunt
- Thu, Mar 31 2011
UCD travel to Dundalk looking to pick up their first three points since the opening night of the season, following disappointing results against Derry and Bray, as well as a tough scoreless draw against Galway. Dundalk go into this game with a similar record, however, installed as pre-season title-challengers, it is the Lilywhites who will be more worried about their early season form.
Dundalk manager Ian Foster says his side have the “bit between their teeth” after “letting people down” in last week’s disappointing defeat by Saint Patrick’s Athletic, where his side had led two nil before surrendering to a 3-2 loss.
“UCD, although there has been a big change around in personnel, their philosophy doesn’t change,” Foster told dundalkfc.com. “They’ll get the ball down and play, they’ll play in between the lines and they’ll move the ball very, very quickly. They’re always a challenge and a test because they play football in the right manner, and when they have it they keep it for long spells, so you have got to stay switched on.
“We’re always excited about playing UCD and we’re excited about playing at home. And more importantly, the lads have a little bit of a bit between their teeth because they feel they let people down last Friday, they want to bounce back as quickly as they can, and hopefully Friday night is the night when we can do that.”
UCD travel to Oriel Park on the back of a 3-2 win away to Longford on Monday night in the EA Sports Cup. Manager Martin Russell is hopeful his side can press on from that good performance – in which Graham Rusk scored twice – following a poor return from the team’s campaign so far in front of goal.
“It was good for us to get 3 goals during the week and we played well, particularly in the first half. Dundalk have a much stronger squad this year, adding a bit more quality. It will be a good challenge for our lads and the fact is our squad is still learning,” said Russell.
Foster has been hit by the news that central midfielder Greg Bolger will be sidelined for between 6-8 weeks with a thigh strain. Stephen Maher should be available, although the 23-year-old is also facing a spell out as he is likely to require surgery on torn groin muscles. Left-back Eoghan Osborne is ruled out until July at the earliest with a fractured tibia, midfielder Dean Bennett is facing a race against time to be fit since suffering a hamstring strain in the 3-2 home win over Galway United three weeks ago. On a positive note, Foster can welcome back central defender Shane Guthrie, who was unavailable last week due to the terms of his loan agreement from St. Pat’s. UCD will be without Sean Harding.
Dundalk
Injured: Greg Bolger (thigh), Eoghan Osborne (tibia).
Doubtful: Stephen Maher, Dean Bennett.
Suspended: None.
UCD
Injured: Sean Harding.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None. .
Referee: Tom Connolly (Dublin) .
Paddy Power Odds: Dundalk 8/13 - Draw 5/2 - UCD 9/2.
Extratime prediction: A 3-0 win for Dundalk.
About Gordon Hunt
Gordon Hunt is one of extratime's Dublin based reporters. Having worked with the site since it's inception, Gordon's name is carved into the foundations of extratime's tower block.