League Preview: UCD -v- Cork City

Cork City players celebrating Cian Murphy’s winner against Dundalk last Monday

Cork City players celebrating Cian Murphy’s winner against Dundalk last Monday Credit: David Ribeiro (ETPhotos)

UCD

The Students are still awaiting their first win of the campaign as they welcome Cork City to the UCD Bowl on Friday night at 19.45.

UCD currently find themselves seven points behind Cork City.

Their latest defeat came after going down to Shamrock Rovers on Monday night. That 3-0 loss at Tallaght was the seventh loss of the season so far.

They will be hoping to welcome back some of the players due to illness and injury against the Hoops.

CORK CITY

The Leesiders travel to the capital in better spirits after recording only their second victory since promotion.

They narrowly overcame Dundalk at Turner’s Cross on Easter Monday in a tight encounter via Cian Murphy’s first half goal.

City know a win over the side below them will increase the gap between them, but it will not be easy given the position UCD find themselves in.

Colin Healy expressed his satisfaction with the response on Easter Monday after losing 4-0 away to St. Patrick’s Athletic on Good Friday.



“It was a big performance after a bad one on Friday,” said Healy. “The players knew they had to respond and they did-brilliantly. The team was solid from back to front and we didn’t even concede too many chances.”

One of the key talking points will be who partners top scorer, Ruairi Keating, as they aim to find a settled line-up. Murphy might get the nod again but Owolabi and Krezic will be pushing for a start.

Referee: Adriano Reale

MATCH STATS

Top-flight games with both sides have been rare in recent seasons. The last one came in May 2019. Cian Bargary marked his league debut with the winning goal for the visitors.

The most recent encounter at the UCD Bowl came back in the First Division in October 2021. A Colm Whelan penalty proved to be the difference between the sides in the penultimate game of the regular season. The home side would go on to win promotion via the play-offs a few weeks later.



BETTING

UCD 7/2; Draw 5/2; Cork City 8/11

PREDICTION

UCD 0 - 2 Cork City

 

UCD

Injured: Mikey Raggert

Doubtful: Adam Wells, Sam Todd, Mark Dignam, Alex Nolan, Danu Kinsella-Bishop

Suspended: None

Cork City

Injured: N/A

Doubtful: N/A

Suspended: None

About Philip Morrissey

Philip is a Cork City fan for his entire adult life. From bad times to good, whether this was taking on some major European sides or in the First Division. Philip went back to college … View Full Profile