Preview: UCD vs Galway United

• Bar OSullivan
• Fri, May 16 2008




UCD play host to bottom side Galway United on Friday night at Belfield. Regardless of the outcome it's highly unlikely that either sides' positioning will improve, and unless UCD get a better result than Finn Harps and Cobh Ramblers, they could find themselves second from bottom come 9.45pm on Friday night.

Galway find themselves three points adrift of second from bottom side Cobh, and having conceded seventeen goals, have an inferior goal difference to last years First Division champions.

Pete Mahon's UCD are four points behind eighth place Shamrock Rovers and, like their opposition, are without a home league win this season. Their single win to date came on the road when they defeated Bray by two goals to nil in week two.

Reflecting on their season to date, manager Mahon had the following to say - "Good defence has been the hallmark of our season but we just don't score enough goals".

The Students have scored just seven league goals to date, and four of them came in their first two games of the season. If UCD don't score enough goals then its fair to say Galway are in the same boat - they have registered just six goals, however four of them have come since Jeff Kenna took over the reigns.

Home side UCD are without the services of Brian Shortall. The centre back is suspended on account of reaching four penalty points. Pacy Shane Fitzgerald is also ruled out. As extratime.ie reported on Wednesday,see here, Conor Kenna is a doubt. Evan McMillan is the obvious replacement for Kenna should he not recover in time.

As has been the case for the last couple of games, Galway will be without Alan Keane, Ciaran Foley, Daryl Robson and John Lester. Stephen O'Flynn had to be replaced at half time against Finn Harps last week after picking up an injury. Along with left winger Derek O'Brien, he faces a late fitness test.

Kick off at Belfield is 7.45pm