League Preview: UCD -v- Finn Harps

UCD

UCD welcome Finn Harps to the UCD Bowl as they look to get back to winning ways after their defeat to Drogheda last week (kick-off 7.45pm).

UCD’s unbeaten start to the season came to a halt last week as they lost 2-0 to a high-scoring Drogheda team.

UCD are level on points with Shelbourne and Drogheda with 13 points at the top of the table.

UCD’s manager Collie O’Neill believes that his team were unlucky against Drogheda and expects another tough game against Finn Harps.

"Last week's result was disappointing,” O'Neill told the club's official website.

“Although I thought we played quite well, we weren't clinical enough with the chances we did manage to create.

“Drogheda were a big threat going forward, and were very dangerous breaking with pace.

“It is important now that we focus on another tough game to come on Friday night, and look to get back to winning ways."

Midfielder Greg Sloggett will be up for selection after making his return off the bench the defeat to Drogheda, but Evan Osam and Neil Farrugia are still out.

FINN HARPS

Finn Harps are looking to close the gap between them and the leading pack when they travel to UCD.

Finn Harps currently sit on 8 points out of a possible 15.

They sit 5 points behind the top three, who have played one more and are looking to close that gap down to two with a victory overUCD.

Harps haven’t had a bad start to the season only losing one game but a draw against bottom side Athlone in their most recent game will be seen as two points dropped.

Finn Harps manager Ollie Horgan feels his team will need to be very focused to get anything from the game on Friday.

He also believes that the opponents will be hungry to bounce back from their recent defeat.

“We’ve been planning for the UCD game since our game was called off against Galway last Friday.

“The fact that UCD lost away in Drogheda last Friday makes them an even more dangerous opposition for us tomorrow night.

“Our lads have been left in doubt that we’ll have to work hard for the 90-plus minutes to get even a draw at Belfield.”

Horgan also believes that some of UCD’s players are likely to leave for bigger clubs.

“UCD have been building a team over the past three or four years and the likes of Georgie Kelly from Inishowen as well as Daire O’Connor and Gary O’Neill are lads I think will move onto bigger clubs down the line”

Referee: David Keeler.

MATCH FACTS

This is the first time the sides have met in the league since the 2015 promotion play-off. Harps won 1-0 in Belfield and 2-1 at Finn Park to set up a showdown with Premier Division Limerick, which they won.

PREDICTION

UCD 2-1 Finn Harps

UCD

Injuries: Evan Osam (ankle), Neil Farrugia (broken collarbone).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Finn Harps

Injuries: Gareth Harkin, Liam Walsh.

Doubtful: Keith Cowan, Paddy McCourt, Ciaran O’Connor.

Suspended: None.