UCD -v- Shamrock Rovers

• Stephen Pollard
• Fri, Oct 18 2013




UCD 

UCD will be looking to secure Premier Division safety by ending a winless run which stretches back to August when they welcome 17-time champions Shamrock Rovers to the Bowl. 

 

The Students ended a run of three straight losses with a draw away at Drogheda United last time out and will be looking to have secured their Premier Division status for next season before they travel to Tolka Park to face almost relegated Shelbourne on the final day of the 2013 season. 

 

Boss Martin Russell underlined his club’s role in St Pats’ league victory this year, with goal-scorer Greg Bolger and fellow ex Students winning their first league title at the Inchicore club. 

 

"When our lads witnessed Greg Bolger’s goal that helped bring the championship to Inchicore, they were looking at yet another ex UCD player continuing his football progression to yet further heights. Greg, along with fellow champions, Ian Bermingham, Conor Kenna, Conan Byrne, and Shane McFaul, were given valuable league experience at a young age here at UCD.

 

"In fact many of those lads were in the set up when UCD where last relegated in 2008! Thankfully Greg was one of those that managed to steer us back to the Premier League and it’s no surprise to me to witness the major roles that they all played in winning the country’s top prize. These events should inspire our current crop to continue to seek development and prepare themselves for similar opportunities that are in the future."

 

SHAMROCK ROVERS

The Hoops quest for European football is still alive as they travel to the Bowl on Friday. Although the Hoops now have to rely on two of their biggest rivals, St Patricks Athletic to do them a favour against Derry City. If that comes to fruition and the Hoops finish fourth, they then must wait on the result of the FAI Cup final and hope for a Sligo Rovers win. 

 

Despite two cup thriumphs this season, the Rovers faithful are by and large looking back on the season with regret, mostly down to the dream team squad assembled in pre season which was added to by captures Richie Ryan and Eamon Zayed in the summer window. 

 

Boss Trevor Croly sees the difficulty in the situation of finishing fourth and possibly gaining European qualification through that but is hoping for two positive results to end the season. 

 

“We have to get the win tomorrow night in order to have a chance of getting that fourth place spot at the end of the season. It is out of our hands now, which is disappointing, but we have to aim to get two wins in the final two games to make sure we are in a position to take advantage of any slip-ups if they happen.”

 

The Students will be without the injured trio of Gareth Mattews, Ayman Ben Mohamed and Hugh Douglas for the clash with the Hoops.

 

Referee:  Kevin O’Regan

 

 

MATCH FACTS

Shamrock Rovers last beat UCD at the Bowl on August 3rd 2012. Goals from Gary McCabe and Gary Twigg handed the Hoops a two nil win. 

 

Robbie Benson and Dean Clarke are tied for UCD's top scorer with seven a piece. That's just two more than the now departed David McMillan netted before he moved to Sligo in the summer. 

 

UCD midfielder James Kavanagh has four yellow cards and two red cards from just 21 appearances this season. 

 

The Hoops four strikers, Thomas Stewart, Mark Quigley, Eamon Zayed and Karl Sheppard have combined for just 11 goals this season in a combined 65 appearances. 

 

 

BETTING

UCD 3/1, Draw 12/5, Shamrock Rovers 4/5.

 

PREDICTION 

A 4-1 away win

 

 

UCD

Injuries: Gareth Matthews, Ayman Ben Mohamed, Hugh Douglas.
Suspensions: None.

 

Shamrock Rovers

Injuries: None.
Suspensions: Ken Oman, Conor McCormack.