League Preview: UCD -v- Cork City

UCD

Searching for their first win in eight, the Students host eighth placed Cork City in a pivotal clash at the bottom of the table (kick-off 7.45pm).

Should the Students fall to defeat on Monday evening against the Leesiders, the Belfield outfit could fall as many as twelve points from safety.

However, UCD will be buoyed by their most recent showing against Shamrock Rovers on Friday evening.

The 1-0 loss, coupled with a Harps win, sent them bottom of the league but the Students pressed Rovers right to the end and can now benefit from the end of the dreaded exam season on the Belfield campus. 

Speaking after the defeat against the Hoops, the Students defender Liam Scales told extratime.ie that he is hoping with the conclusion of exams, results will begin to take an upturn in the coming weeks, starting on Monday evening. 

“It (exams) takes its toll but it’s just the way it is at UCD. You just have to get up and get on with it. It is tough but we’re through it now so hopefully things will start to go a little bit better. 

“I think we have a lot to learn from our game against Cork last week. We didn’t perform too well; we could’ve performed a lot better. 

“We know where we need to improve and hopefully, we can take that into the game on Monday and get a better result.”

In terms of team news for Collie O’Neill’s side, Evan Osam will miss out with his long-term achilles issue picked up on the eve of the season. 



It was also confirmed on Friday evening that the trio of Timmy Molloy, Kevin Coffey and Conor Crowley have all left the club following the conclusion of their degrees at the university (see here).

CORK CITY

Looking to right the wrongs of their most recent defeat at the Belfield Bowl, the Leesiders make their first trip to the capital ahead of a frequent period of games awaiting City in Dublin. 

John Cotter’s outfit await further visits to second placed Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians and St Patrick’s Athletic within the space of seven days after Monday night’s encounter at the UCD Bowl.  

City fell to a defeat during their most recent outing against Dundalk and are mindful of the threats posed by the Students, as noted by caretaker boss Cotter. 

“They are side we know well, we have played them twice in a short space of time, so we know their strengths and their weaknesses,” said Cotter speaking to his club’s media team. 



“It is a game we played well in just over a week ago, so we will be looking to implement our own game plan and hopefully get the three points.

“We gave away two sloppy goals (on Friday night) and we have spoken about that. You have to take the positives though and I thought that, at times, we played quite well and created chances, so we would hope to take those chances on Monday if we do create them.”

Garry Buckley returns to contention after missing out on Friday’s defeat to the Lilywhites thanks to suspension.   

Youngster Cian Murphy is ruled out for the foreseeable future with a hamstring injury while Gearoid Morrissey, Shane Griffin and Dan Casey are all doubts and will be assessed prior to kick-off.

Referee: Iwan Griffith. 

MATCH STATS

UCD have lost their last seven games in a row. Coincidentally, their last win came against Cork City back in April when a late show from the Students upstaged a lethargic City at the UCD Bowl. 

As it stands, UCD currently lie nine points behind Cork City who are in eighth, with the Leesiders winning two of their last three since the departure of John Caulfield last month. 

The Students have the joint worst defensive record in the Premier Division with 32 goals conceded after 17 games for Collie O’Neill’s young guns

BETTING

UCD 10/3; Draw 13/5; Cork City 4/6.

PREDICTION

UCD 1-1 Cork City

UCD 

Injured: Evan Osam.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Cork City

Injured: Cian Murphy.

Doubtful: Gearoid Morrisey, Shane Griffin, Dan Casey.

Suspended: None.

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