League Preview: Waterford United -v- UCD

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Thu, Jun 11 2015




The Blues host the College at the Regional Sports Complex on Friday as arguably one of the most inform teams in the country visits the home of Roddy Collins side for the first time this season.

 

WATERFORD UNITED

Waterford’s new boss Roddy Collins may have got off to an impressive start when the Blues overcame Cabinteely, but since then three defeats have followed although two of those have been away from home.

 

Having suffered a one goal defeat away in Cobh last weekend, the manager is looking for his side to take their chances in what is their last game before the mid-season break.

 

“Last week’s match was tight and we were always in it until the very end. We created a number of chances during the game but couldn’t convert them. The lads on the pitch are young guys and they’re putting in a lot of hard work but we need to bring in some players.

 

With such a young squad it is quite natural for Collins to be considering bringing in some temporary reinforcements as the Blues look to move up the table.

 

“We have UCD and then there is a two week break but the work started two weeks ago contacting players and contacting managers to get loan players in. You can work week in, week out on the training pitch until you are blue in the face but you need the material to work with.

 

In terms of team news things are finally starting to look up for a Waterford United team who are only off the bottom of the table thanks to their superior goal difference over eight placed Cabo. Dylan Mernagh, Brian Nolan and Shane Nolan are all once available to the former Derry and Monaghan boss, Collins.

 

However there is still one absentee with Anthony McAlavey missing out through suspension.

 

UCD

The College are currently enjoying life under Collie O’Neill having struggled in their opening few fixtures. UCD are on a massive ten game unbeaten run in the league.

 

Amazingly UCD managed to get knocked out of all domestic cup competitions before the start of June, meaning that their only chance of silverware this campaign is in the SSE Airtricity League First Division or in the Europa League.

 

In terms of team news for the Students, Jamie Doyle and Ryan McLaughlin are both labelled as doubts with the later leaving Tuesday’s victory over Shelbourne prematurely having received a nasty blow to his head thanks to his own team mate accidently blasting the ball at his face.

 

Dan Tobin, Daire O’Concubhair and Sean Byrne are all still unavailable due to the Leaving Cert whilst Greg Sloggett continues to battle back from his injury.

 

Manager O’Neill is understandably happy with how his side have been playing in recent weeks and hopes that they can continue to apply the pressure to First Division leaders Finn Harps.

 

“We have been playing very well in recent weeks, and I was delighted with the way we played at times against Shelbourne. It is important however that we keep up the performances and keep putting pressure on Finn Harps, starting with the game against Waterford.”

 

An easy victory ensued when the team’s last men, with the College blue beating the Waterford blue 3-0 on that occasion.

 

“Since we played them in the Bowl, Roddy has taken charge and he will be looking to start picking up results. Their performances are improving all the time and they will be looking to pick up a positive result before the break to take into the second half of the season. We will have to be at the top of our game if we are to come away with a win, to keep up our good form ahead of a massive few weeks for the club,” explained O’Neill.

 

Meanwhile it was announced today that Ian Ryan has left the club by mutual consent having had his contract cancelled. Ryan had struggled with injury of late having spent eighteen months at the Belfield based side.

 

Referee: David Keeler.

 

MATCH FACTS

UCD are unbeaten in league action since March 27^th.

 

The Students have scored the most goals in the division with twenty nine.

 

UCD’s top goalscorer in the league is Ryan Swan who has ten goals, while Waterford’s lead marksman is Willie John Kiely who has converted five times this campaign.

 

BETTING

Waterford United 9/2; Draw 5/2; UCD 4/7.

 

PREDICTION

Waterford United 0-2 UCD.

 

Waterford United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Anthony McAlavey.

 

UCD

Injured: Greg Sloggett.

Doubtful: Jamie Doyle, Ryan McLaughin.

Suspended: None.

Unavailable: Dan Tobin, Daire O’Concubhair, Sean Byrne.