Why UCD will triumph
Credit:
In the second of four articles on the favourites for promotion, Lloyd Murphy looks at why UCD will go straight back up to the Premier Division come November.
You’ll never win anything with kids?
When Alan Hansen famously claimed that Manchester United will “never win anything with kids” many people agreed with him. However, United went on to win the league and cup double that year. When UCD got relegated last November, not many people tipped them for a quick return to the top flight. The resignation of Pete Mahon, followed by a mass exodus of players gave you the impression of a bleak future for the students.
The retirement of the influential Alan Mahon, the departures of Timmy Purcell, Conor Kenna, Shane McFaul, Matt Gregg, Shane Duggan, Shane Fitzgerald and Alan McNally left the UCD squad with no spine and little or no experience.
However, when Martin Russell was appointed manager he showed no hesitation in showing his faith in youth. “My initial focus is to continue to strengthen the club’s scholarship programme and develop a team that will be able to challenge for honours” Russell said.
This season has been a baptism of fire for many of the UCD squad including Russell himself. The students may be one of the youngest squads in Europe, but what they lack in experience they make up in sheer belief and determination to win.
Their flying start to the season has been a surprise to many, but Russell has turned them into a young hungry side who want to be challenging for honours come end of the season. He deserves a lot of credit.
Flying Start to the Season
The Students have now won four games in a row and look like going from strength to strength with each game they play, earning valuable experience along the way.
Captain Ronan Finn and Evan McMillan remain the only players left from last season’s squad. However, this team look like they have been playing together for years.
Each player knows what is expected of them, they look tactically sound, and most importantly, Russell just lets them go out and play, with a sense of freedom and an emphasis on attack.The form of Ciaran Kilduff and Ronan Finn have particulrly stood out this season.
The away wins against Sporting Fingal, and most recently against Finn Harps show UCD’s title credentials, and that they are just as strong away from home than at the Belfield Bowl. The Students will always be a tough outfit to beat at home, but I believe it is their strong away form that will see them challenging for promotion, if not winning the league.
Looking to the fixtures ahead, the clash away to Shelbourne in early April will be the first real test of the students mental toughness and belief. If they can get a result here, they will deal a real blow to their fellow challengers, laying down the gauntlet to the rest.
May will be a crucial month for UCD, with home ties against Waterford and Sporting Fingal. Should they pick up six points from six, their title challenge can only get stronger.
The likes of Sporting Fingal, Shelbourne and Waterford may be favourites to gain promotion, but Russell believes this will suit his side fine.
“We’re not getting carried away. It will be tough for us but neither will we fear any team either. We’re enjoying our football at the minute and we need to keep that going for all season”.
Strength in Depth
Following a mass exodus of players last season, UCD had a lot of work to rebuild their squad. Russell has made some very good signings in Ciaran Kilduff and Chris Mulhall from Shamrock Rovers. Luke Hardy and James Timmons have league experience, with the latter signing for UCD for the third time.
But it has been manager’s faith in youth and the scholarship scheme which has proved very fruitful for UCD and manager Martin Russell this season.
Ronan Finn, Evan McMillan, Greg Bolger, Brian Shorthall, Billy Brenann, Peter McMahon and David McMillan, to name but a few, have all come through the ranks at UCD.
Ronan Finn
Captain Ronan Finn has been a revelation this season. Ciaran Kilduff may be grabbing all the headlines, but it has been Finn’s excellent form that has proved invaluable to the Students. Kilduff will be the first to say that Finn’s contribution and assists have played a central role in their league position and his five goals.
Finn always seems to have time on the ball, looking assured and confident in every aspect of his play. It is only a matter of time before Finn reclaims his place under Don Givens in the Irish Under 21 side.
He has all the assets of a Premier Division player, and it will be only a matter of time before bigger clubs come calling. He has been fantastic this season.
He picked up a minor knock against Finn Harps on Friday, but should be fit for the visit of Kildare.
Ciaran Kilduff
Martin Russell has discovered a gem this season in the form of Ciaran Kilduff. Having scored five goals in the opening four games, the ‘Killer’ as he’s known, is living up to his name.
Having previously played for Kildare County and Shamrock Rovers, Kilduff has plenty of experience despite being the tender age of twenty.
Kilduff has bullied defences this season using power and pace to score the majority of his five goals. If he can continue his fine goal scoring form, the Students will be there or there abouts at the end of the season. His goals could prove vital for their promotion hopes.
You’ll never win anything with kids?
When Alan Hansen famously claimed that Manchester United will “never win anything with kids” many people agreed with him. However, United went on to win the league and cup double that year. When UCD got relegated last November, not many people tipped them for a quick return to the top flight. The resignation of Pete Mahon, followed by a mass exodus of players gave you the impression of a bleak future for the students.
The retirement of the influential Alan Mahon, the departures of Timmy Purcell, Conor Kenna, Shane McFaul, Matt Gregg, Shane Duggan, Shane Fitzgerald and Alan McNally left the UCD squad with no spine and little or no experience.
However, when Martin Russell was appointed manager he showed no hesitation in showing his faith in youth. “My initial focus is to continue to strengthen the club’s scholarship programme and develop a team that will be able to challenge for honours” Russell said.
This season has been a baptism of fire for many of the UCD squad including Russell himself. The students may be one of the youngest squads in Europe, but what they lack in experience they make up in sheer belief and determination to win.
Their flying start to the season has been a surprise to many, but Russell has turned them into a young hungry side who want to be challenging for honours come end of the season. He deserves a lot of credit.
Flying Start to the Season
The Students have now won four games in a row and look like going from strength to strength with each game they play, earning valuable experience along the way.
Captain Ronan Finn and Evan McMillan remain the only players left from last season’s squad. However, this team look like they have been playing together for years.
Each player knows what is expected of them, they look tactically sound, and most importantly, Russell just lets them go out and play, with a sense of freedom and an emphasis on attack.The form of Ciaran Kilduff and Ronan Finn have particulrly stood out this season.
The away wins against Sporting Fingal, and most recently against Finn Harps show UCD’s title credentials, and that they are just as strong away from home than at the Belfield Bowl. The Students will always be a tough outfit to beat at home, but I believe it is their strong away form that will see them challenging for promotion, if not winning the league.
Looking to the fixtures ahead, the clash away to Shelbourne in early April will be the first real test of the students mental toughness and belief. If they can get a result here, they will deal a real blow to their fellow challengers, laying down the gauntlet to the rest.
May will be a crucial month for UCD, with home ties against Waterford and Sporting Fingal. Should they pick up six points from six, their title challenge can only get stronger.
The likes of Sporting Fingal, Shelbourne and Waterford may be favourites to gain promotion, but Russell believes this will suit his side fine.
“We’re not getting carried away. It will be tough for us but neither will we fear any team either. We’re enjoying our football at the minute and we need to keep that going for all season”.
Strength in Depth
Following a mass exodus of players last season, UCD had a lot of work to rebuild their squad. Russell has made some very good signings in Ciaran Kilduff and Chris Mulhall from Shamrock Rovers. Luke Hardy and James Timmons have league experience, with the latter signing for UCD for the third time.
But it has been manager’s faith in youth and the scholarship scheme which has proved very fruitful for UCD and manager Martin Russell this season.
Ronan Finn, Evan McMillan, Greg Bolger, Brian Shorthall, Billy Brenann, Peter McMahon and David McMillan, to name but a few, have all come through the ranks at UCD.
Ronan Finn
Captain Ronan Finn has been a revelation this season. Ciaran Kilduff may be grabbing all the headlines, but it has been Finn’s excellent form that has proved invaluable to the Students. Kilduff will be the first to say that Finn’s contribution and assists have played a central role in their league position and his five goals.
Finn always seems to have time on the ball, looking assured and confident in every aspect of his play. It is only a matter of time before Finn reclaims his place under Don Givens in the Irish Under 21 side.
He has all the assets of a Premier Division player, and it will be only a matter of time before bigger clubs come calling. He has been fantastic this season.
He picked up a minor knock against Finn Harps on Friday, but should be fit for the visit of Kildare.
Ciaran Kilduff
Martin Russell has discovered a gem this season in the form of Ciaran Kilduff. Having scored five goals in the opening four games, the ‘Killer’ as he’s known, is living up to his name.
Having previously played for Kildare County and Shamrock Rovers, Kilduff has plenty of experience despite being the tender age of twenty.
Kilduff has bullied defences this season using power and pace to score the majority of his five goals. If he can continue his fine goal scoring form, the Students will be there or there abouts at the end of the season. His goals could prove vital for their promotion hopes.
