League Preview: UCD -v- Cobh Ramblers

• Andrew Dempsey
• Fri, Feb 28 2020




UCD

After being pegged back at the death last time out away to Wexford, UCD host Cobh Ramblers at the UCD Bowl on Friday evening in the First Division (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Students took the lead at Ferrycarrig Park last week through new recruit Colm Whelan – but they were thwarted by a late Conor English equaliser.

There has been plenty of change at UCD during the off-season, with a number of their highly-rated stars moving on to pastures new.

Conor Kearns, Jason McClelland and Liam Scales have all departed to top-flight clubs, while Dan Tobin has joined fellow First Division side Wexford.

In addition, UCD have been slowly building during the off-season in the Colleges and Universities set-up – but they will be disappointed with their showing in the Collingwood Cup.

UCD were defeated by rank outsiders, and eventual champions DCU in their opening round tie, before they lost in the semi-finals of the Farquhar Cup to Maynooth.

However, as of Tuesday, they defeated IT Carlow in the CUFL semi-final by four goals to nil – with Sean McDonald scoring one as Whelan scored a sensational hat-trick.

The Students lined out with much of their League of Ireland side on that occasion, with the likes of Paul Doyle, Lorcan Healy and Yoyo Mahdy all starting.

UCD have yet to release team news for Friday’s showdown against Cobh.

COBH RAMBLERS

After suffering defeat last time out at home to Drogheda United, Cobh Ramblers travel to the capital to face recently relegated UCD at the Belfield Bowl.

The 2-0 defeat at home to the Boynesiders will be a real kick in the teeth to the Rams – especially given the fact they were wrongly reduced to ten men.

Lee Devitt was shown a second yellow card despite having not received a first booking. The suspension has since been rescinded.

However, when speaking to Echo Live, Cobh boss Stuart Ashton was pleased with his side’s performance.

“I think that for 60 minutes we matched what are one of the so-called better teams in this division.

“We probably could have been ahead. A momentary lapse from the throw, we got caught out and probably one of the only times where he (Chris Lyons) has got free from the shackles of our defence.

“He has done what strikers do, put it in the bottom corner. Then from there on, they probably showed why they are one of the better teams.

“Up until then, we matched them and probably in our opinion were the better side and we should have scored one or two goals when we had possession.

“But they showed their quality in the end there.”

The Rams will assess full-back John Kavanagh and Cameron Harison closer to kick-off, but Conor Drinan definitely misses out. 

Referee: Gavin Colfer.

MATCH STATS

UCD’s last clash against Cobh Ramblers saw the Students earn a point at St Colman’s Park with former captain Gary O’Neill netting a spot-kick for his side.

The Belfield outfit have won the previous two games between the sides at the UCD Bowl – winning both 3-1 and 1-0 against the Rams.

Cobh Ramblers last win over their Dublin opposition came in July 2017, when they secured a 1-0 win at St Colman’s Park.

BETTING

UCD 8/11; Draw 13/5; Cobh Ramblers 11/4.

PREDICTION

UCD 2 - 0 Cobh Ramblers

UCD

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Conor Drinan.

Doubtful: John Kavanagh, Cameron Harison.

Suspended: None.