Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
League Preview: UCD -v- Drogheda United
- Dave Donnelly
- Fri, Apr 15 2016
UCD
UCD welcome Drogheda United to Belfield (kick-off 7.45pm) on the back of an impressive away win over Shelbourne at Tolka Park, which leaves them second in the tablle behind runaway leaders Limerick.
“We had a good win last week as Tolka Park is never an easy place to go and get 3 points,” manager Collie O'Neill told the club's website.
“I was happy with the majority of the performance especially the work rate off the ball but there is always room for improvement. We created a number of good chances both from play and from set pieces.
“Set pieces are something we have been working on and they are a vital part to every first division game. I’m delighted we have been able to add that extra dimension to our game this season, and Maxi has been brilliant that way.
“Every time he goes up now he is looking a real threat and is giving defenders something to worry about and he is now our top scorer!”
“We haven’t really hit top gear yet this season but we’re not far off it, hopefully now after a good performance last week we can start to build on it and belief we will be able to put a run of results together.”
Tomás Boyle is back in contention following a knee injury, but Ryan McLaughlin, Jason Byrne and Cathal Brady continue to miss out.
DROGHEDA UNITED
Drogheda United arrive in Belfield in need of a improvement after losing two of their last three games 3-0 to Shelbourne and, last weekend, Limerick.
“We’ve put the Limerick game out of our system ahead of what’s another key game tomorrow,” coach Pete Mahon told the club's website.
“UCD have had a similar start to the season as ourselves and we’ll both be going for the win tomorrow night.
“I mention it every week but the nature of the First Division, with just 28 games to play, means that you can’t have too many slip-ups and get away with it so we’ll be going there in search of all three points."
Ahead of the final fixture in the first round of games, Mahon believes that the play-off chase is too close to call but he expects the Students to be in the mix with Drogheda come October.
“I don’t think you can rule anyone out at this stage aside from Limerick who will run away at the top. I think it’s only ever worthwhile looking at the league table after the first round of fixtures are complete and no matter what happens tomorrow night, the gap between the other seven teams is going to be very tight.
“I still believe that Shelbourne and UCD will be our biggest competition for the play-off positions so it adds that little extra bit of importance to tomorrow night’s game."
Captain Sean Thornton continues to recover from ankle ligament damage but Mark Griffin is back available after missing last week with a thigh strain.
Referee: xxx
MATCH STATS
The sides didn't meet last season as they were in different divisions, but UCD's relegation season in 2014 saw the Students win twice at the UCD Bowl either side of a 4-0 hammering at Hunky Dory's Park.
BETTING
UCD 11/10; Draw 23/10; Drogheda United 11/5.
PREDICTION
UCD 2 – 1 Drogheda United
UCD
Injured: Cathal Brady (ribs), Jason Byrne (calf), Ryan McLaughlin (hamstring).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Drogheda United
Injured: Sean Thornton (ankle).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
