Sligo Rovers -v- UCD

• Raymond Denning
• Fri, Oct 28 2011




Sligo Rovers welcome UCD to The Showgrounds for the final game of the league season on Friday evening knowing that they just need to avoid defeat to secure second place in the Airtricity Premier Division table (Kick-off, 7.45pm).


Derry City lie three points behind the Bit o’ Red with just this fixture remaining, so Paul Cook’s men will be out to secure their highest top flight finish since their last league title in 1977.


Also on the horizon for the home side is next Sunday’s showpiece FAI Ford Cup Final against Shelbourne at the Aviva Stadium. With this in mind, Sligo will be aiming to go into that match off the back of a convincing performance. They will also be keen to avoid injuries and suspensions for the final, just as the suspensions to Richie Ryan and Matthew Blinkhorn hampered their selection for the 2010 FAI Cup final.
 

Sligo Rovers good form has seen them accumulate twenty four points from a possible thirty in recent weeks, but despite this excellent record they failed to keep pace with Shamrock Rovers and a recent loss to St. Patrick’s Athletic put paid to their ambitions of taking the title.
 

Gavin Peers is suspended for this match having accumulated four yellow cards, but crucially he will be available for next week’s cup final. Aside from Peers’ absence, Sligo manager Paul Cook has a full hand to choose from.
 

Cook, who was close to accepting the managers’ position at SPL side St Johnstone earlier this week, highlighted the importance that a win and a good performance would have on their prospects for the final: "It was a difficult week for the club with the uncertainty and we're looking forward to our final game in the league,” he said.


"We want to finish with another three points. The players have been tremendous and they are a credit to the club. I know there is a big crowd expected for this last game and the players deserve that and will look to go out on a high ahead of the Aviva,” said Cook.

 

UCD meanwhile come into the game in the  knowledge that an 11th win of the season will not alter their eighth position in the league standings, as they find themselves twelve points behind Dundalk and twelve points ahead of Drogheda United.
 

The Students’ have had a difficult run-in as they faced St Patrick’s Athletic and Bohemians before Tuesday night’s dramatic defeat to Shamrock Rovers’ at the UCD Bowl which saw the Hoops secure their 17th league title.
 

UCD’s recent form has been positive however, winning three of their last five outings but they have not won on the road since seeing off Galway United on July 1st.
 

In team news Darren Meenan is suspended following his dismissal against Shamrock Rovers on Tuesday. Ger Barron(foot) is out while Sean Harding and Graham Rusk are both doubts due to calf injuries Speaking ahead of their visit to The Showgrounds, UCD boss Martin Russell said: "We go into the final game with the aim on the building on the type of play that we exhibited mid-week. Sligo are also a footballing side and the ingredients are there for a good game,” he said.
 

Given both sides’ commitment to attacking possession football, the expected large attendance at The Showgrounds will be guaranteed an entertaining end to the season, and Sligo should have more than enough firepower to secure a comfortable win in this match.

 

Sligo Rovers
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Gavin Peers.

 

UCD
Injured: Ger Barron (foot).
Doubtful: Sean Harding, Graham Rusk (both calf).
Suspended: Darren Meenan.

 

Referee: Padraig Sutton.
Paddy Power Odds: Sligo Rovers 1/5, Draw 9/2, UCD 12/1.
Extratime prediction: Sligo Rovers 3 – 0 UCD.