Preview: UCD vs Bohemians

• Bar OSullivan
• Fri, May 02 2008




Bohemians will be hoping to get back to winning ways on Friday night when the make a short trip across the city to face UCD at the Belfield Bowl. Both sides were lucky to come away with a point last week. UCD put in a battling performance at St Coleman's, but even manager Pete Mahon admits that his side were fortunate to escape with their goal intact. Bohs dropped more points at Dalymount and were second best to an adventurous Derry side not afraid to attack in numbers.

A quick look at the relative home and away results of these two sides this season would suggest that Bohs have a good chance of picking up the three points. In three home games UCD have picked up just a single point. Against Derry on the opening day of the season they were every bit as good as Stephen Kenny's Derry, and maybe even better, but a lack of concentration in the closing minutes allowed Peter Hutton steal a winner. Two weeks later a scoreless draw with Sligo was a fair result - however neither side played anywhere near their potential. Champions Drogheda then visited the Bowl and for the first time this season looked like the side they were last year - and strolled to a three one win. UCD however did manage a win over St Pat's in the league cup.

Bohs have a 100% away record with four wins out of four. Each win has been by a single goal and notably Pat Fenlon's men have taken the lead in each of the four games. The Bohemians manager was careful not to underestimate Mahon's young side "Trips to UCD are always tough. The pitch in the Belfield Bowl is larger than the one in the old ground and that may make the game more open. I don't think that will necessarily be to our advantage, because UCD have a lot of good young players and there is plenty of pace in their side".

After missing the recent games against St Pats and Cobh, Alan McNally returns to the UCD squad and is expected to start at centre back alongside Conor Kenna.

Apart from long term injury casualties, Killian Brennan is the only doubt for Bohemians.

Speaking ahead of the visit of his former club Pete Mahon said " It's always a difficult game against Bohemians. They are my tip for the league and they seem to like playing away from home."

Kick off at the Belfield Bowl is 19.45