League Preview: Galway United -v- UCD

Stephen Walsh gets set to take a throw in during Galway United's 0-0 draw with Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds in July 2021.

Stephen Walsh gets set to take a throw in during Galway United's 0-0 draw with Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds in July 2021. Credit: Paul Dolan (ETPhotos)

GALWAY UNITED

Galway United will be looking to overtake UCD when they host the Students at Eamonn Deacy Park in the First Division on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

The side are currently level on points behind Shelbourne, but UCD are just ahead on goal difference as the teams jostle for position in the run in to the end of the season.

Galway’s title challenge is essentially over after their scoreless draw with Treaty United two weeks ago, but they will be hoping to secure second place at the very least this season going into the playoffs.

John Caulfield’s side have a good record against the Students in recent times with the Tribesmen unbeaten in four games against the Dublin side with UCD not claiming a victory against Galway in over three years.

Their most recent meeting was at the UCD Bowl in July of this year with Galway running out 2-0 winners.

Ruairí Keating and Wilson Waweru were on the scoresheet on the night for the Triesmen.

UCD still pose a major threat with Colm Whelan netting 17 times already this season and with Conor Kearns and Conor McCormack both absent through suspension their defence will have to be on form to nullify the attacking threat.

In other team news Ronan Manning and Francely Lomboto are still sidelined with long term injuries.

UCD



The Students will also be looking to claim second place outright when they travel to face Galway on Friday night.

With four First Division wins in a row coming into Friday they will be fairly confident that they can cause trouble for the Tribesmen.

UCD were in FAI Cup action last weekend and they ran Premier Division side Waterford close, narrowly losing 3-2 in the end.

The Students took the lead twice at the UCD Bowl last weekend with Colm Whelan and Liam Kerrigan netting for the home side but the visitors fought back twice with goals from Junior Quitirna and Phoenix Patterson.

Colm Whelan had a chance to put UCD in the lead for a third time in the 72nd minute but he failed to convert his penalty kick with Prince Mutswunguma scoring an injury time winner for Waterford to send them into the FAI Cup semi-finals.

Referee: Oliver Moran



MATCH STATS

The Tribesmen are unbeaten in four games against the Students.

With UCD’s brief stint in the Premier Division during 2019 meaning the sides were kept apart, the Dublin side last beat Galway in July 2018

UCD’s Colm Whelan is the top goal scorer so far this season with 17 First Division goals to his name.

BETTING

Galway United 19/20; Draw 23/10; UCD 23/10.

PREDICTION

Galway United 1–1 UCD

Galway United

Injured: Ronan Manning, Francely Lomboto.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Conor Kearns, Conor McCormack.

UCD

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.

    About Paul Corcoran

    Paul Corcoran is an experienced writer and journalist and has contributed to various publications including the Galway United match programme Maroon View. He spends much of his time covering the fortunes of Galway United's teams … View Full Profile