League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- UCD

Shamrock Rovers

The champions begin their title defence on Friday night against newly promoted UCD. The Hoops won their second consecutive league title at a canter last year finishing 16 points clear. Stephen Bradley’s side also created history last May when they went 33 league games unbeaten.

Rovers secured the title with three games to spare and lifted the trophy on the final night after beating Drogheda United at Tallaght Stadium.

While Rovers had a quiet transfer window compared to other sides, the two players they did bring in are set to make a huge impact this season.

Jack Byrne returns to Tallaght stadium after an underwhelming spell at APOEL in Cyprus and will be hoping to rediscover the form that saw him bag two consecutive player of the year awards at Rovers. Full-back Andy Lyons has moved from Bohs across the Liffey and will be hoping to end 2022 with his first league medal.

Rovers began their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 win over Fairview Rangers followed by a 1-1 draw away at Longford, before losing 3-2 to Bray Wanderers. Wins against Wexford, Treaty United, Bray and Galway United followed, before Rovers beat St. Patrick’s Athletic on penalties to claim the club’s first President’s Cup.

Ronan Finn equalised with 20 minutes remaining after Eoin Doyle opened the scoring for the Saints. After winning the FAI Cup on penalties, St. Pat’s had no such luck in Tallaght, as Jack Byrne sealed a 5-4 shootout win.

A huge crowd is expected on Friday night, after the spectator ban was lifted by the FAI, following an appeal by Rovers. Last November, a Waterford player was injured after fireworks were thrown onto the pitch as Rovers visited the RSC.

The FAI initially placed Friday’s game behind closed doors, but subsequently lifted the ban and imposed a fine of €5,000 instead.

Stephen Bradley spoke to the club’s media ahead of the game and said that the newly promoted side must be respected on their visit to Tallaght.



“They have some really good players,” Bradley said.

“I think right now they have a really good group of players. They'll come with no fear, they'll come and have a right go at us I'm sure. That's something that we've got to respect and be ready for.”

“UCD is the important game, that's the one we've been looking at since the fixtures came out. That's the one you want to perform in and get the three points.”

“We all welcome the decision to allow fans back in on Friday night. Hopefully, we can have another big crowd because it's the important game.”

UCD

The Students open their 2022 campaign with the toughest task, an away trip to the champions. However, UCD will be buoyed by their impressive campaign last season. After comfortably finishing in third place, they saw off Treaty United 4-2 over two legs before beating Bray Wanderers 2-0 at Dalymount Park.



They took full advantage of Waterford’s calamitous end to 2021 and beat the Blues 2-1. Goals from Dara Keane and Colm Whelan sealed their Premier Division status after a two-year absence.

Andy Myler will be delighted to have hung onto Ireland under-age internationals Colm Whelan and Liam Kerrigan for 2022, both of whom were vital for the Students last season.

Elsewhere in the transfer window, UCD brought in Alex Dunne and Dylan Duffy from Shamrock Rovers, Thomas Lonergan from Shelbourne, and Kian Moore from Bohemians. Their only departure was Paul Doyle to Dundalk.

In pre-season, UCD lost at home to Cork City and away to Shelbourne before victories against Longford Town and Wexford followed. The Students also beat UCC 3-0 on Wednesday in the Collingwood Cup, courtesy of a Ciaran Behan brace and an Adam Lennon strike.

“We’re delighted to be in the Premier Division,” said Myler, ahead of the trip to Tallaght.

“It’s a great opportunity for our lads to show what we’re about as a club, as players and as a group. We’re really looking forward to it this year.”

“We have no intention of making up the numbers. We want to be as competitive as possible. We want to try win football games and as many as we can.”

“It couldn't be harder (against Rovers). It’s exactly the type of game you want to get promoted to play in. It should be a good occasion.

Referee: Derek Tomney

MATCH STATS

The two sides last met at the end of the 2019 season, with Rovers winning 3-0.

UCD’s last win against Rovers came in April 2013, in a 2-0 home win.

In just two seasons at UCD, Colm Whelan is already the club’s fifth highest ever goal scorer with 41 goals.

BETTING

Shamrock Rovers 1/5; Draw 15/4; UCD 11/1.

PREDICTION

Shamrock Rovers 3 - 1 UCD

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Sean Kavanagh

Doubtful:

Suspended: Stephen Bradley

UCD

Injured: N/A

Doubtful: N/A

Suspended: N/A

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