League Preview: UCD -v- Cobh Ramblers

• Fran Reilly
• Fri, Apr 24 2015




UCD

The second round of First Division fixtures commence this weekend and given the pre-season predictions, the table doesn't read exactly how many thought it would at this stage. Football writer's favourites Shelbourne sit in fifth place on eight points, while Finn Harps have opened up a five point lead at the top of the table and remain unbeaten. The Students, meanwhile, sit in fourth place with a respectable ten points.
 

Many had also tipped Collie O'Neill's men as promotion candidates, though the boss of the Belfield side did stress before the start of the season that this was a very young team – even by UCD standards – and that the club had a long term plan of “two to three years to get back up” to the Premier Division. 
 

Results proceeded to back up this assertion as, after a promising start against upcoming opponents Cobh Ramblers which yielded a 3-0 win, the Students lost three league games on the spin and suffered elimination from the EA Sports Cup at the hands of League of Ireland newcomers Cabinteely.
 

However, a 2-2 draw against league leaders Finn Harps saw them become only the second side this season to take points off the Ballybofey outfit, and this result served as a catalyst for UCD to win their following two matches – 2-0 away to Cabinteely and 3-0 at home to Waterford United last week.

 

“The previous game against Cobh was extremely open with both sides creating good chances, and I definitely expect it to be a much tighter affair this time around with both sides in good form,” O'Neill told ucdsoccer.com. “Stephen has done a great job since coming in for them, and they will be confident of picking up a result themselves.”

 

O'Neill will be missing up to seven players for the game on Friday, four of whom have been involved in the Republic of Ireland's victorious Centenary Shield campaign which culminated with a 1-1 draw with Scotland on Thursday night: Dan Tobin, Dylan Watts, Daire O'Connor and Troy Carey. 

 

Experienced duo Robbie Benson and Ian Ryan miss out through thigh and foot injuries respectively, with the latter still yet to make a first-team appearance this season. Greg Sloggett also misses out with a groin injury, while Gary O'Neill (ankle) and Conor Cannon (calf) are doubts.

 

It is also worth noting that to mark the last day of the college term, UCD are granting students free entry to the game with Cobh Ramblers in Belfield upon the presentation of a valid UCD student card at the gate.

 

COBH RAMBLERS

Since these two sides met on the opening day, Cobh Ramblers have re-appointed Stephen Henderson to the hotseat and his impact has been immediate – and while the players remain the same, it will be a rejuvenated Ramblers making the trip to Dublin to avenge that 3-0 reverse at St. Colman's Park.

 

A 16^th minute goal by Republic of Ireland U19 international Ryan Goldsmith was enough to secure a 1-0 win over Shelbourne last week – a second home win for the Rams this season which equalled their tally of home victories during the entire 2014 campaign. The result also extended Henderson's unbeaten league run since returning to the club as manager to three games.

 

However, the former Waterford United boss will have to plot a path through the game against the Students without two key players in Graham McCarthy and Shane O'Connor, both of whom will miss the trip to Belfield through suspension after accumulating an impressive five yellow cards each from the opening seven games of the season.

 

They are absences Henderson could do without as he is still missing five players through injury: Kynan Rocks, Robbie Waters (back), Andrew Bhandarkar (ankle), Darren Murphy Snr. and Peter White (both short of match fitness).

 

There also doubts over the fitness of Eoghan Murphy and goalkeeper David Browne, the latter of whom pulled out of last week's victory over Shels with a shoulder injury which is still plaguing him – both players are rated 50/50 to play against UCD.

 

Referee: Michael Connolly.

 

MATCH STATS

This weekend marks the first time Cobh Ramblers go into a league game off the foot of the table since before the First Division season began in March.
 

After losing four games in a row in all competitions, UCD have won two and drawn one of their last three games and have not conceded a goal in their last two.

 

The last meeting between these two sides came on the opening day of this season and produced nine yellow cards and one red: five yellows for Cobh and four yellows for UCD, including two for Mark Langtry who was sent off for the Students. Langtry has only featured in two of UCD's other six league games since.

 

Cobh have only picked up one point from their travels this season, while just four of UCD's ten points so far have come at home (one win and one draw).

Ramblers last tasted victory against the Students in a Premier Division tie on October 18^th, 2008 – a Davin O'Neill brace gave Stephen Henderson's men a 2-0 win over the Students at St. Colman's Park.

 

BETTING

UCD 1/2; Draw 13/5; Cobh Ramblers 11/2.

 

PREDICTION

UCD 2-2 Cobh Ramblers.

 

UCD

Injured: Robbie Benson (thigh), Ian Ryan (foot), Greg Sloggett (groin).

Doubtful: Gary O'Neill (ankle), Conor Cannon (calf).

Suspended: None.

International duty: Dan Tobin, Dylan Watts, Daire O'Connor, Troy Carey.

 

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Kynan Rocks, Robbie Waters (back), Andrew Bhandarkar (ankle), Darren Murphy (85) and Peter White (both short of match fitness).

Doubtful: David Browne (shoulder), Eoghan Murphy.

Suspended: Graham McCarthy, Shane O'Connor.