League Preview: UCD -v- Cabinteely

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Fri, Jun 05 2015




UCD

UCD head into this clash with Cabinteely having somewhat of a point to prove following the College’s horrendous performance during their 3-1 defeat to AUL side, Sheriff YC, in last Sunday’s FAI Cup game.

 

A meeting was held in the aftermath of the defeat with O’Neill now believing that his charges are fully aware of what they need to do in order to regain their place in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division next season.

 

“Our league form of late has been extremely good, and we have picked up a number of very good results. We’ve had an open chat with the players during the week and all of us know what is needed if we are to get back to the premier division so it is important we put the Sheriff game to the back of our minds now and concentrate on the task at hand.”

 

A tough challenge is something which O’Neill believes awaits both his young and also heavily depleted squad on Friday night.

 

“Cabinteely were well organised and difficult to break down both times we have played them. The early goal in the league game helped us as it meant we could play the way we wanted to and let them come at us, which led to it being a lot more open of a game than the cup game. It’s going to be a tough game and it is important we stay patient with our play, but if we play the way we have been lately in the league, I think we should have enough to bounce back from the Sheriff game and pick up three points.”

 

Greg Sloggett is UCD’s only guaranteed absentee through injury, while Jamie Doyle, Conor Cannon and Mick Leahy are all listed as doubts and will presumably face a late fitness test before taking to the field against the lowest ranked First Division side.

 

UCD are however missing three players due to the Leaving Certificate taking place over the next two weeks with Dan Tobin, Daire O’Concubhair and Sean Byrne all set to swap the UCD pitch for a place in the library.

 

 

CABINTEELY

Who is managing Cabo? Well sadly I can’t answer that as all of Extratime.ie’s attempts to get in touch with the club went unanswered during the week.

 

Rumours swirled at the start of the past week that Eddie Gormley was no longer in charge of the club with multiple outlets reporting that the former Bray boss had left the club following a disagreement with a person of high ranking status at the South Dublin side.

 

Whoever is in charge on Friday night in UCD will know that they have a challenge on their hands as it is a battle of eight versus third.

 

Referee: Marc Lynch.

 

 

MATCH FACTS

UCD have beaten Cabo once already in the league this season, although it is also worth noting that last time the sides met at the UCD Bowl it was Cabinteely that emerged victorious, although on that occasion the competition was the EA Sports Cup.

 

UCD may leap ahead of Wexford on Friday night if they can better Wexford’s result.

 

Cabo have won just two of their opening twelve Premier Division games, with their last win coming against Waterford United at the end of March. UCD meanwhile, haven’t lost a league fixture since that very same date (27^th March), when Youths picked up a 1-0 win in Ferrycarrig Park.

 

 

BETTING

UCD 1/4; Draw 19/5; Cabinteely 10/1.

 

PREDICTION

UCD 3-1 Cabinteely.

 

 

UCD

Injured: Greg Sloggett.

Doubtful: Jamie Doyle, Conor Cannon, Mick Leahy.

Suspended: None.

Unavailable: Dan Tobin, Daire O’Concubhair, Sean Byrne (all doing the Leaving Cert).

 

Cabinteely

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: Victor Ekanem.