League Preview: Dundalk -v- UCD

Evan Osam in action for UCD

Evan Osam in action for UCD Credit: Matthew Lysaght (ETPhotos)

DUNDALK

The Lilywhites host UCD in a Bank Holiday Monday fixture at Oriel Park (kick-off is at 5pm).

After suffering back to back defeats, at Tallaght Stadium and Richmond Park respectively, Dundalk will be looking to get their quest for European qualification back on track with a win against The Students.

The sides have met twice this season with Ciaran Behan’s free kick levelling matters in the season opener at Oriel Park before Ryan O’Kane cracked home a stunning strike in injury time at Belfield to seal a two nil victory.

Friday night saw Andy Boyle return to the starting lineup after missing all his side’s May outings while fellow defender Louis Annesley took a place in the matchday squad for the second time since the March win over St Patrick’s Athletic.

Forward Daniel Kelly managed 70 minutes at Tallaght Stadium, his longest outing  of the season and his second time to play more than a half of football in 2023.

Full back Robbie McCourt remains out having suffered an injury in training during the week while Robbie Benson and John Mountney are also unavailable.

UCD

The Belfield outfit have picked up one point from their last eight games- a one all draw against Bohemians at the end of the April the only positive result on this run.

They were without a number of key players for Friday night’s 3-1 reverse at the hands of St Patrick’s Athletic- the influential pair of Jack Keaney (suspension) and midfielder Donal Higgins both missing out.



Central defender Harvey O’Brien, who broke through last season, started his second game in a row after overcoming injury.

Three Under 19s- Jake Doyle, Conor Bolton and Republic of Ireland Under 17 defender Daniel Babb - all started while Luke O’Regan (who replaced O’Brien at half time) made his fourth consecutive outing for the senior side at the age of 18.

Much like Dundalk, Andy Myler’s group have seen injuries affect a number of players throughout the squad.

Promising centre half Sam Todd has only featured in one matchday squad all season, while experienced midfielder Mark Dignam hasn’t played since being replaced in that sharing of the spoils with Bohemians.

Winger Sami Clarke was taken off against Derry City three weeks ago and is yet to return to the squad.

The injuries have given opportunities for others to shine with ex Waterford U19 defender Jesse Dempsey impressing and former Shamrock Rovers Academy player Adam Wells, also a defender, netting twice in his past three games.



Referee: Damien MacGraith

PREDICTION

Dundalk 2-1 UCD

 

Dundalk

Injured: Robbie Benson, John Mountney, Anthony Moyo, Robbie McCourt

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

 

UCD

Injured: Sam Todd, Mark Dignam

Doubtful: Donal Higgins, Sami Clarke

Suspended: None

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