UCD v Dundalk Match Preview: 19-05-2011.

Both UCD and Dundalk will be hoping to bounce back from defeat when they meet at the UCD Bowl on Friday night at 7.45. The Students went down 2-1 against Bray in the Premier League last Friday night while Dundlak were beaten 2-0 by Shamrock Rovers in the Setanta Cup on Saturday night.

However UCD manager Martin Russell is not underestimating the Dundalk challenge despite their defeat at Tallaght. “Dundalk will be disappointed  with their defeat in the Setanta Cup  final and will be looking to bounce back against us in the league. They have a good balance to their side, with a good mixture of youth and experience; they will be a decent challenge. Overall Dundalk have shown they are a good outfit in the league and as always this will be a challenge that we look forward to” Russell told the UCD website.

Russell has admitted that his side will be hoping to bounce back from last Friday night's last minute defeat in Bray. “We will be looking to bounce back yourselves from the Bray game, where we put in a solid first half display but let ourselves down in the second period".

There is mixed news on the injury front for the students.  Captain Michael Leahy has recovered from his shoulder injury will David O’Connor, Robbie Benson and Mark Langtry are all available for selection. However influential midfielder Robbie Creevy (ankle) is still unavailable while Cillian Morrison (ankle), who has resumed training  is doubtful.

Former UCD and current Dundalk midfielder Greg Bolger has paid tribute to Russell and the youth set up at the Belfield club. The Wexford born player told  told Dundlakfc.com “I learned a lot from Martin Russell. I think I owe him a lot for footballing knowledge. He has helped me big time.”

Bolger, who won the First Division title under Russell in 2009, added. “I was on a FÁS course with him and all the way up he was the coach. He taught you the right way.  That’s the club, they give young fellas a chance once they’re doing well. If they go and play a reserve game and play well, they’ll get their chance. That way, it’s good.”

Bolger is eager to put the defeat to Rovers behind him and help his team move up the league table “I think we have enough quality to beat them, but, in saying that, they have quality as well.  Hopefully, we can go out and put the cup final behind us and put more points on the board, because the league is still there".

Dundlak manager Ian Foster has revealed that striker Jason Byrne (hamstring) will not feature, while midfielder Stephen McDonnell will also miss out through suspension. The visitors will also be without long-term injured pair Stephen Maher (groin) and Eoghan Osborne (fractured tibia).

UCD
Injured: Robbie Creevy (ankle)
Doubtful: Cillain Morrison (ankle)
Suspended: None.

Dundalk
Injured: Jason Byrne (hamstring) Stephen Maher (groin) Eoghan Osborne (fractured tibia).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Stephen McDonnell.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer
Paddy Power Odds: UCD: 2/1 Draw: 11/5 Dundalk: 13/10

Prediction: UCD 1-2 Dundalk.

© Seamus Egan 2011.