League Preview: UCD -v- Bohemians

• Macdara Ferris
• Thu, Mar 06 2014




UCD

On Friday evening we will get to see the UCD Class of 2014 in league action for the first time as they welcome Bohemians to the UCD Bowl (kick off 7.45pm). In charge of the Students for this term is former Bohs boss Aaron Callaghan but he won’t be in the dugout for this game, or the next four, as he must serve a suspension picked up just prior to his departure from Dalymount Park during last season.

 

Callaghan will be looking to build on UCD’s ninth placed league finish last season, a point ahead of the visitors they face on Friday. Most of last year’s squad will be playing in the UCD Bowl again this season with some additional new faces who have come in to replace those who have departed.

 

Michael Barker, Michael Scott and Dwayne Wilson have come in from Waterford United while Chris Mulhall returns to The Students for his second spell at the club. Ian Ryan will likely play a big role at the heart of Callaghan’s team, with the experienced centre-half joining from Shelbourne. There are also a number of additions from the UCD teams that won both the Harding Cup and the Colleges and University League.

 

Craig Walsh left and will be in the away dressingroom on Friday while a trio of UCD players joined Shamrock Rovers. David O’Connor joined The Hoops’ Premier Division team while Liam Traynor and Adam Whelan signed for Rovers’ First Division squad.

 

Aaron Callaghan is delighted to be back in Belfield where he previously worked as first team coach, following as spell managing Longford Town. "It is great to be back working in the game and more importantly with UCD,” said Callaghan this week. “I loved my first spell here and I am delighted to be back. The squad have trained 29 times during pre season and we are in excellent shape to start the season, a season I am really looking forward to

 

BOHEMIANS

In a reverse of The Gypsies’ opening fixture last season, this year Bohs start their league campaign away to UCD and they will be hoping for a similar result to last season. Back then they kick started their league campaign with a 2-1 at home over The Students. They will also get to do it all again on Monday as the two sides have been drawn against one another in the EA Sports Cup.

 

With Owen Heary installed as permanent manager, he has been able to shape the squad for this season, bringing in both experience and up and coming young talent. Former Gypsies Aidan Price and Jason Byrne will be key players for Bohs as will Paddy Kavanagh signed from Derry City. With the addition of the much travelled Stephen Beattie as well as Philly McCabe, Jack Memery and Craig Walsh, the expectation that is that Bohs will be stronger than they have been in the last two seasons.

 

“He’s a massive talent and could be an important link between midfield and the forwards,” said Owen Heary about Paddy Kavanagh. “There’s excitement at having got the players in, that I was looking for. But as we come to the start of the season there’s also nerves and there’s pressure on me as manager. Expectations are rising because of the players we’ve signed and sometimes you have to curb those expectations, not to put too much pressure on the players.

 

“The hardest part is probably picking the bench and getting the balance right for the particular game we’re playing. If a player has earned his place and is putting in a performance, I will not be asking him to step aside, unless it’s for tactical reasons and, if that’s the case, I will explain it.”

 

Bohs come into the game on the back of a confidence boosting 5-1 Leinster Senior Cup win over Bray Wanderers “There were lots of positives, and it was clear that the players enjoyed the way they were playing,” said Heary about that win in their only competitive game played to date.  His focus now is on these next two games against UCD a team he describes as “a good side, well organised and with lots of good players”.

 

Referee: Robert Harvey.

 

MATCH STATS

The two teams met five times in 2013 with UCD winning twice in the league (1-0 at home and 3-1 away) following their defeat to Bohs on the opening night of the league season. Bohs won by the odd goal in five when the teams met in Dalymount Park in the EA Sports Cup while the Students defeated the Gypsies 2-1 in the early stages of the 2013 Leinster Senior Cup.

 

Jason Byrne returns to the club where scored 41 of his 205 league goals. The all time League of Ireland record of 235 goals, held by Brendan Bradley, is tantalisingly on the horizon for Byrne. He will no doubt be looking to improve on his tally of 13 goals last season scored with Bray Wanderers, in order to help Bohs in the league, but assuredly also to cut the deficit between himself and Bradley.

 

Dean Clarke was UCD’s top scorer last season. His nine goals earned him the Students’ Young Player of the Year Award in 2013.

 

BETTING

UCD 12/5; Draw 11/5; Bohemians Evens.

 

PREDICTION

2-1 away win to the Gypsies.

 

UCD

Injured: None.


Suspended: Mark Langtry, Aaron Callaghan.

 

Bohemians

Injured: Anto Murphy (hamstring).

Suspended: None.