Season Preview 2015 - UCD AFC

Manager: Collie O’Neill

 

Stadium: Belfield Bowl

 

 

Players In: Evan McMillan (Sligo Rovers), Jack Watson (Shamrock Rovers), Ryan Swan (Bray Wanderers), Mick Leahy (Limerick FC), Declan Brennan (Athlone Town), Jamie Doyle (Leixlip United), Gary O'Neill (Hereford United)

 

Players Out: Robbie Creevy (Bohemians), James Kavanagh (Drogheda United), Kaleem Simon (Longford Town), Ayman Ben Mohamed (Longford Town), Dean Clarke (Limerick), Conor O'Donnell (Limerick), Hugh Douglas (Bray Wanderers), Colm Crowe (Shelbourne), Gary Burke (Athlone Town)

 

 



Extratime.ie Key Man: Robbie Benson

 

Robbie Benson’s memorable goal against Derry City was one of the few highlights from last season for The Students in what was a poor season all round. Collie O’Neill will be glad to have Benson on board for another season as this youthful UCD side needs all the experience it can get.

 

Benson only notched three goals last season but should find more time, space and the back of the net more often in the First Division. That is the one area UCD need to vastly improve in if they are to have any chance of returning to the Premier Division at the first attempt.

 



 

Extratime.ie One to Watch: Gary O’Neill

 

The Students will be hoping that 20-year-old O’Neill has a similar goal scoring ability to his name sake having arrived from a debt decimated Hereford United having started his career with Port Vale.

 

He scored against Dundalk in a tough pre-season tie which will have put him in the manager’s mind, and if he can draw from experience at full-time set ups, he could be a significant figure in the College’s first season in the second tier since winning the title in 2009.   

 

 

How They did Last Season:

 

League: 11th (Relegated via Playoff vs Galway)

 

FAI Cup: Second Round

 

EA Sports Cup: First Round 

 

 

What to Expect this Season:

 

Collie O’Neill has said that this season will be about consolidation and gaining experience for this young squad, but if players like Leahy, McMillian and Benson perform like they can and the young players gel and step up to the plate, the Students could ruffle a few feathers come the end of the season.

 

The possibility of Europa League qualification through the Fair Play table could divert attention from the First Division but we should still expect UCD to be at the right end of the table by October perhaps just a tad behind the frontrunners.

 

 

Title Odds: 4/1

 

First Game: Cobh Ramblers (A) 7th March