League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- UCD

• Dave Donnelly
• Sun, Jul 21 2019




SHAMROCK ROVERS

Shamrock Rovers could cut the gap to league leaders Dundalk to five points with victory over relegation-battling UCD on Sunday evening (kick-off 4pm – buy tickets here).

The Hoops are on a high following Thursday night’s Europa League victory over SK Brann in Tallaght, a 2-1 win (4-3 on aggregate) setting up a tie with Apollon Limassol next week.

Stephen Bradley’s side trailed to a Daouda Bamba goal against the run of play early in the second half at Tallaght Stadium.

Late goals from the outstanding Jack Byrne and Gary O’Neill saw Rovers through the second qualifying round against last season’s group stage participants.

And, with Dundalk not in action this weekend, the Hoops have an opportunity to close the gap at the top ahead of Thursday’s meeting with the Cypriot side.

“UC is a different challenge to what we faced on Thursday but we’ll be 100% ready and focused,” Bradley told the club’s official website.

“The players have been brilliant at that all year, putting the result to bed quickly and focusing on the next task in hand and that’s UCD.

“We know where they’re strong and we’ve got to respect that on Sunday. They’ll enjoy coming to Tallaght on a big pitch, probably the best pitch in the country.”

Greg Bolger, Sean Callan and Trevor Clarke are suspended for the game, while Neil Farrugia is still short of fitness.

UCD

UCD arrive in Tallaght Stadium on a rich vein of form, having taken seven points from their last nine over the course of two weeks.

The Students’ best run of form so far this season came at an opportune time as it lifted them from four points adrift at the bottom to three points clear.

Finn Harps’ victory over Waterford on Friday means Collie O’Neill’s side are only now ahead on goal difference, however the transformation has been clear.

With captain Gary O’Neill and Neil Farrugia gone to Rovers, Conor Davis to Derry City and Liam Scales set to leave, it’s a new-look, younger UCD side these days.

They defied the odds to beat Bohemians 1-0 at the UCD Bowl on Monday night to make it three games undefeated thanks to Yoyo Mahdy’s goal.

An unexpected bonus saw it upgraded to 3-0 after Bohs were found to have fielded the suspended Danny Mandroiu in the game, giving them a five-goal advantage over Harps.

“[Bohs are] a good side, a really good side, and it just didn’t click for them,” Collie O’Neill told extratime.ie.

“Getting the first goal is vitally important because it gives us something to hold onto. When it doesn’t click for you, you begin to rush play and they just resorted to some long balls.

“That’s not going to be enough to see us into that play-off spot. We need to get more points on it as quickly as we can. We need to keep this run going.

“A nice easy one away to Tallaght. That will be a free shot for us. They’re still the best side we’ve played. If we get a clean sheet out of that one it’ll be a miracle.”

Sean McDonald and Josh Collins remain a couple of weeks away from fitness, but Evan Osam has returned to light training after rupturing his achilles in pre-season.

Conor Kearns is suspended after his on-field celebrations sparked a confrontation with Bohs captain Derek Pender on Monday night.

Referee: Ben Connolly.

MATCH STATS

Shamrock Rovers and UCD have met twice so far this season, their first competitive meetings since UCD were relegated in 2014.

Rovers won both games, with a 3-0 win in Tallaght followed up by a 1-0 victory at the UCD Bowl in May.

BETTING

Shamrock Rovers 1/10; Draw 8/1; UCD 22/1.

PREDICTION

Shamrock Rovers 1 – 0 UCD

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Neil Farrugia.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Greg Bolger, Sean Callan, Trevor Clarke.

UCD

Injured: Josh Collins, Sean McDonald, Evan Osam.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Conor Kearns.