- Andrew Dempsey
- Sun, Feb 12 2023
Manager: Andy Myler
Stadium: UCD Bowl
Players In: Brendan Barr (Derry City), Adam Wells & Mikey Raggett (Shamrock Rovers), Danu Kinsella-Bishop (UCD - LSL), Sami Clarke.
Players Out: Evan Caffrey (Shelbourne), Tommy Lonergan (St Patrick's Athletic), Colm Whelan (Derry City), Sean Brennan (Drogheda United), Dylan Duffy (Lincoln City).
Extratime.ie Key Man: Sam Todd
With the likes of Colm Whelan, Dylan Duffy and Tommy Lonergan all moving on from Belfield during the off-season, Sam Todd is set to assume an even bigger role this term.
The former Finn Harps defender has been a defensive mainstay at the UCD Bowl since his move to the capital – and he will expect to have the same role this year.
Alongside captain Jack Keaney, his influence in a young and inexperienced Students XI may give them some hope of survival – despite the odds being stacked against them.
Extratime.ie One to Watch: Brendan Barr
Joining from Derry City, Brendan Barr has moved to Belfield earlier than anticipated to begin playing for Andy Myler’s side for the first half of the season.
Barr was most recently on the books of Dungannon Swifts on loan and impressed there before returning to the League of Ireland.
Due to start his degree in September, the right-back can also be used as a midfielder which provides UCD with some much-needed depth in those areas of the pitch.
And crucially, he is likely to be a key man for UCD for a number of years.
What to expect this season:
Once again, few will expect UCD to stave off the threat of relegation this season – but that was also said at the same stage last year.
With Myler as their boss, the Students have built up a steel over the last number of years and are a well-oiled machine on their day.
Whether their new recruits can rise to the challenge remains to be seen – but they are unlikely to be bowled over as easy as some may suggest.
And if they can replicate last season’s heroics by staying up via a play-off, or better, it would be a fantastic season for all at Belfield.
First Game:
UCD v Dundalk, February 18th, Oriel Park (kick-off is at 7.45pm).
