Midseason Report Card - UCD

Club: UCD

Manager: Collie O'Neill

Stadium: The UCD Bowl

Highest attendance this season: 500 vs Cobh Ramblers (19th May 2017)

Highest league goalscorer: Georgie Kelly (9)

Mid-season position: 3^rd

How we thought they would do

UCD have been there or thereabouts for the past two seasons as they have attempted to return to the top flight, but with the loss of quite a number of experienced personnel during the season break and the fact that only one team wins promotion this season, any realistic UCD fan would have admitted their chances of promotion were slim.

We at Extratime.ie predicted before the season began that UCD would be involved in the race for the title, but ultimately finish third, and so far that's exactly where they find themselves. At the halfway point in the season the Students are certainly living up to the billing and give themselves an outside chance for the rest of the season to stay in touch.

How they really have done

In many ways UCD are sitting in a very strong position in third. They find themselves only four points behind league leaders Waterford, who many expected to run away with the title. UCD have the second-best defensive record, and they've even scored the most league goals this season, which is evident from the fact Georgie Kelly is league's top goalscorer. There are plenty of ingredients there for a second half of the season push.

The Students will surely take encouragement from the fact they've drawn with Waterford, but at the same time, that's the single point they've picked up from a possible 12 against the top two teams in the league. Additionally, two draws against south Dublin rivals Cabinteely will provide further frustration. Their most recent home game was one of those defeats to Cobh Ramblers, while their final game before the mid-season break saw them come from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 with Pat Devlin's Cabinteely.

Nevertheless, UCD have had some very good victories this season, beating both Shels and Longford Town, home and away. They have only one less win than both Cobh Ramblers and Waterford. In fact seven of their eight wins have also seen the Students gain seven clean sheets. If they can build on this form and try and improve on what they've already built, then there's definitely potential for the second half of the season.

Moment of the season so far

Although the 4-0 destruction of Shelbourne in the second league game of the season cannot be forgotten, the 1-0 away victory against recently relegated Longford Town has to be considered the best moment of the season for the Students so far. Exactly a month ago, UCD put in a near perfect performance, scoring early through Daire O'Connor, playing well throughout and defending their 1-0 lead until the final whistle. It was exactly the type of defensive resilience lacking last saeason and ultimately a main factor in why their promotion ambitions failed. This game proved they've transformed completely and it was a complete performance which they'll hope to repeat.

Star Player: Niall Corbett

UCD's fine defensive form has been as a result of great coaching and teamwork, and obviously a strong defence. However, one man has stood head and shoulders above the rest and – Niall Corbett, the last line of defence for the Students. Having been at the club since 2011, at the young age of 22, he is the longest-serving player at the club and among the most senior in the squad. He's been instrumental in the seven clean sheets UCD have earned, which translates as a clean sheet in every two league games he has played. The stats back up the fact he's been brilliant and his presence between the sticks will give his young defenders ahead of him the assurance and confidence they need for the second half of the season.

Surprise star player Georgie Kelly

For some, this isn't necessarily a surprise. Georgie Kelly is in his second season with the Students after signing at the start of the 2016 season from Derry City. He was largely confined to a substitute role last season, but showed enough promise and ability to earn himself six league goals and gain the role of first-choice striker this season. He's stepped right up to the plate and in 14 starts has scored nine league goals, meaning he is the league's top goalscorer. UCD will continue to look to Kelly for match-winning goals as the season progresses, and the big centre forward will definitely keep opposition defences busy.

Young player Daire O'Connor

In his third season at UCD, Daire is finally staking his place in the team. He had to wait until April Fool's Day for his first league start, but since then he's begun all but one league game. He's now played more minutes than in any of his two previous seasons with the Students and has two goals to his name too. The 20-year-old is perhaps a bit old in UCD terms to be considered a young player, but his form in the two month period has been brilliant and he's really beginning to come into his own, finally making the grade to first team starter.

Star signing: Evan Osam

Having missed the entire 2016 season through injury, UCD took the risk of signing Osam from Shamrock Rovers, and he has paid them back in dividends. The 19-year-old left back has played almost every single minute of the league season and has been a great addition to a team which ended last season without a truly recognised left back. The former Hoop has got his club career back on track and is progressing really well, providing the Students with greater strength down their left flank.

What they need to do in the transfer market

It's not necessarily about what they need to do in terms of strengthening their squad – rather UCD must be wary of losing any of their players during this transfer window. Without any real financial pulling power, and because they rely heavily on a young squad, UCD will be keeping their heads low hoping none of the Dublin Premier Division clubs come swooping in for some bargain buys. In the two seasons since relegation, and even before, UCD have got used to losing players during transfer windows, but that's a habit they don't want to continue.

Where we see them finishing

As optimistic as this writer is, it's going to be a real challenge for UCD to finish higher than second this season. What has been a big advantage and strength for the Students is continuity in the squad from the previous year. It has clearly shown. Likewise for their rivals Cobh Ramblers. Waterford have been at a disadvantage in this regard, but their superior individual quality has been the difference and is why they sit first.

Waterford will continue to strengthen and gel as a unit as the season progesses into the business end, and due to UCD's really young average age, they are two key factors to consider come the end of the season. It's actually quite a shame. UCD are a model club for the League of Ireland, practising professional standards in how to run a club with meagre resources and finances. They are a constant machine for producing future stars of the League of Ireland, and this fact should never be overlooked.

In many ways this season could indeed have been their season, had it not been for the change in the league system and the promotion situation. Neverthelss, if this season does prove to be a failure in terms of winning promotion, it should hopefully be futher food for thought as to the potential UCD have for the future. UCD are continuing to build and progress, and that bodes well for the club.