League Preview: UCD -v- Cork City

• Andrew Dempsey
• Sun, Oct 22 2023




UCD

UCD boss Andy Myler is hoping that his side get some reward for their efforts this season when they host Cork City on Sunday afternoon (kick-off is at 3pm).

The Students were relegated a few weeks ago but Myler has lauded his side for not throwing the towel in entirely.

“Our lads are a great bunch for motivation,” he said last week. “The effort is always there but you'd love a little bit of luck or a decision here or there.

“We haven’t had a red card against us and I don't think we've had a penalty this year.

“All of those things are extreme to me because I don't think that's ever happened in my career when playing, managing or coaching.

“Those little things maybe don't go for you when you're in the position that we're in at the moment. But let's go and try and get nine points and finish off as well as we can.”

The Students will welcome Daniel Babb, Luke O’Regan and Jesse Dempsey back from international duty this weekend after their spell with the Ireland under-19s.

CORK CITY

Cork City will be looking to build up some momentum ahead of a likely relegation play-off when they take on UCD at the Belfield Bowl.

The Leesiders are nine points behind Sligo Rovers with just four games to play – so they require a miracle to avoid a play-off.

But they do have striker Ruairi Keating on their books in the case of a play-off next month.

And Keating – fresh from winning the player of the month award – said: “We did brilliantly last year to get promoted and we knew it wasn't going to be easy; that transition to better teams and tougher games.

“You get punished for mistakes, it's a very good league.

“I think we've done well. A lot has gone on this year, it's been very difficult and we've been up and down.

“But I think at the end of it you could say we were one game away from a cup final and secured our Premier Division status for next year, you'd be delighted.”

Referee: Paul Norton.

 

PREDICTION

UCD 1-0 Cork City

 

UCD

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.

 

Cork City

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: John O’Donovan.