League Preview: UCD -v- Athlone Town

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Thu, Mar 19 2015




UCD

UCD must pick themselves up for the visit of Athlone Town on Friday night after a second straight defeat in competitive competition – this time at the hands of Shelbourne, who came away 1-0 winners from Belfield last Friday night.

 

Collie O’Neill is still relatively new to the hot seat at University College Dublin and he has certainly found himself thrown into the thick of things early on in this campaign. Speaking about last week’s disappointing defeat, he admitted that his side really ought to have come away with something to show for their efforts.

 

“Last week’s defeat to Shelbourne was a disappointment as I thought we played very well at times and deserved to get a result out of the game. However there are a lot of positives I can take out of the game, we may be a young side but if you’re good enough then you’re old enough and our lads certainly are good enough.”

 

Not all of O’Neill’s side have been at training this past week as four of his youngest starlets took part in the Irish Schools victory over Northern Ireland on Tuesday. With a large emphasis on the Under 19 players coming through into the first team this year both O’Neill and his assistant, Evan McMillian, will hope more players get the call up to the international side in the near future.

 

“Dan Tobin, Daire O’Connor, Dylan Watts and Troy Carey have all done brilliantly for the under 19’s this season and have all recently made the step up to my first team squad. With these players and many other great players in our under 19’s the future is definitely bright for the club and we hope they will be with us for many years to come.”

 

In terms of team news there is some positives, with Robbie Benson nearing a return to full fitness he is expected to be named amongst the substitutes for the Students second home fixture of the league season. Jack Watson is also set to return to the action after missing the opening two weeks while Ian Ryan and Mark Langtry must both wait their turn to take back up their places in the heart of the UCD defence.

 

ATHLONE TOWN

The next two weeks see Athlone play away from home, not that the current First Division leaders will head to Belfield in nervous fashion.

 

A good win last week over Cobh Ramblers, who the Students had beaten the week before on a 3-0 scoreline, will give Athlone plenty of confidence heading into this one especially after throwing away all three points on the First Division’s opening night down in Waterford.

 

Athlone will be hoping that Garbhan Coughlan, who has three goals, and Marco Chindea, with two strikes, can continue their goalscoring form on Friday night in Belfield for this 7.45PM kick off.

 

Wallace has no suspensions to worry about but former Student Brian Shortall may be forced to watch the game from the stands and has been listed as doubtful by his midlands based employer.

 

Referee: Paula Brady

 

MATCH FACTS

UCD signed Robbie Benson from Athlone back in August 2010 when the College were flying safely in the Premier Division under Martin Russell.

 

The last time UCD hosted Athlone in the First Division the game ended in a 1-1 draw with now UCD player/coach Evan McMillan grabbing a 90^th minute equaliser.

 

BETTING

UCD 6/4; Draw 23/10; Athlone Town 6/4

 

PREDICTION

UCD 2-1 Athlone Town
 

UCD

Injured: Ian Ryan, Mark Langtry

Doubtful: Robbie Benson

Suspended: None

 

Athlone Town

Injured: None

Doubtful: Brian Shortall

Suspended: None