Cork City -v- UCD

• Brian Fitzgerald
• Fri, Sep 27 2013




CORK CITY

Cork City will hope to continue their recent good form on Friday night when they welcome UCD to Turner’s Cross.

 

Four wins in their last five league games have seen the Rebel Army defy their early season indifferent form and move quietly into the top half of the table.

 

Last time out for the Leesiders was a 3-2 win over Drogheda United on Tuesday night, when a late Danny Morrissey was enough to give his side all three points.

 

Since then, Cork City have appointed former Waterford United manager Paul O’Brien as their Technical Director until the end of the season.

 

Under 19’s manager Stuart Ashton had acted as caretaker manager since the dismissal of Tommy Dunne, but despite his relative success in the role Ashton did not possess the required coaching qualifications from a licencing point of view.

 

For this reason, as well as other work commitments, Ashton has taken a step back from the first team for the rest of the season.

 

Speaking to CorkCityFC.ie about the managerial development, chairman Mick Ring was quick to praise Ashton for his success while in the hotseat.

 

“The club would like to place on the record our thanks to Stuart for his assistance in recent weeks, and also thank Paul for assisting us. Paul is a vastly experienced coach, and also holds the required coaching qualifications from a licensing point of view, and we are very pleased to welcome him to Cork City FC.”

 

Going into Friday night’s tie, Cork City welcome back Colin Healy and Johnny Dunleavy from suspension, as well as Dan Murray and Neal Horgan who did not travel to Drogheda on Tuesday night.

 

Long term injury Kevin Murray remains out with a groin injury, however there is better news for fellow absentee Darren Dennehy who has returned to training. Dennehy is not yet match fit, but it is hoped that he might feature in some capacity before the end of the season.

 

Speaking to CorkCityFC.ie ahead of the game, First Team Coach Billy Woods highlighted the need for his side to build on the result on Tuesday night but was quick to point out the threat of the visitors.

 

“Tuesday night saw us win a very open game in Drogheda. The positive attitude and desire of the players to go and grab a victory in a game that was in the balance mirrored the recent confidence that the players have gained from winning games. The challenge for this team now is to maintain this good form over the next five games starting with a performance against UCD.”

 

“UCD during Martin Russell’s time in charge have always given us difficult games here and this will prove the same. Martin was a fantastic player and it’s no surprise that his team reflect the way he played the game. The quality of Martin’s coaching and management has seen the constant development of excellent players.”

 

UCD

UCD AFC take a trip down the M8 on Friday as they look to bounce back from last weekend’s 3-0 defeat against Sligo Rovers.

 

With Bohemians hot on their heels, the Students will be looking to replicate their previous result against Cork City and consolidate their ninth place standing.

 

In the last encounter between the sides, UCD produced a scintillating display to run out comfortable 3-0 winners thanks to a brace from David McMillan and the collector’s item that is a “Hugh Douglas goal”.

 

Although students the length and breadth of the country may have spent Arthur’s Day in the pub, Cork City will have no such luck if they think the students from Belfield have taken their preparation lightly and taken part in the festivities. One look at captain Mick Leahy’s twitter page and it is evident how much UCD are relishing the challenge of taking three points from Turner’s Cross.

 

“Coffee instead of beer for me today..looking forward to Turner's Cross tmo night, one of best stadiums in the league to play at! #atmosphere”

 

Ahead of this tie, Martin Russell has almost a full squad to pick from with only Tomas Boyle and Aymen Ben Mohamed missing out through injury.

 

Speaking to ucdsoccer.com, Russell wasn’t underestimating the task at hand for his young side.

 

"Cork, having beaten Drogheda in midweek are in decent form so a big performance is needed from our boys. Our priority is to turn up and produce our best." 

 

Referee: Kevin O’Regan.

 

 

MATCH STATS

There has not been a 0-0 draw between the sides in the last 13 encounters. The last one came in Belfield on the 31^st March 2006.

 

UCD’s last clean sheet in the league came ten games ago – in their 3-0 win against Cork City.

 

Cork City have already won two league games more this season than they did in the while of the 2012 campaign.

 

 

BETTING

Cork City 8/11, Draw 5/2, UCD 15/4.

 

PREDICTION

Cork City 2 UCD 2

  

 

Cork City

Injured: Kevin Murray, Darren Dennehy.
Suspended: None.

 

UCD

Injured: Tomas Boyle, Aymen Ben Mohamed.
Suspended: None.