FAI Cup Preview: Dundalk -v- UCD

DUNDALK

Dundalk come into their FAI Cup semi-final meeting with UCD as heavy favourites to reach their fourth final in succession (kick-off 7.30pm).

Standing in their way are First Division winners UCD, who travel to Oriel Park on Friday night in a bid to reach just their second FAI Cup final in history, and first since winning it in 1984.

The Lilywhites all but sealed a fourth SSE Airtricity League title in five seasons on Tuesday night, thanks to a 3-2 win over Derry City, in what was the club’s 16th win from their last 17 league outings.

That result was preceded by a 1-0 win over Cork City at Turners Cross, and this run of form has seen Stephen Kenny’s side move 12 points clear at the top of the table with just four matches remaining.

“Our performance in the past two games has been very good,” said defender Dane Massey.

“We went into the game in Cork very confident and we had to go down there and win. We have had a few bad results down there in recent years and we wanted to put that right. That was always the aim when we went down there.

“We put in a good performance. We deserved the three points which were important to us and we carried that into Tuesday in what was another big win for us. We have put in a lot of brilliant performances throughout the season.

"We are over the moon with how things have gone. It has been a great season and Stephen Kenny has done a brilliant job.

“Every year we have lost players here but we have come back stronger and have come back to be even better each time which has been brilliant.

“You can never take these things for granted and we lost the league to Cork City last year. It was heart-breaking when we couldn't get the four in a row so we wanted to come back stronger and we have put in a lot of hard work.”

Attention now turns back to the FAI Cup for Dundalk, who should be cautious of a UCD team that took them all the way to penalties in both the EA Sports Cup and Leinster Senior Cup last season.

“They are a good side who have had a great season themselves in the First Division. They won that brilliantly so we know what we are up against on the night.

“We have a lot of players in the dressing room who haven’t played in a cup final or haven't been in the Aviva.

“We want to win every trophy. UCD are no pushovers. We have our work cut out for us and we will be well prepared. We will have everything ready and hopefully we can get back to the final.”

It was confirmed last week that midfielder Karolis Chvedukas would miss the remainder of the campaign due to an ankle injury, while Stephen O’Donnell continues his recovery from a broken leg.

UCD

Recently promoted as First Division champions, UCD are dreaming of capping off what has already been a truly remarkable season with what would be the club’s first ever trip to the Aviva Stadium.

UCD secured a return to the Premier Division after spending four seasons in the second tier, thanks to a 1-1 draw against runners-up Finn Harps in their final home match of the season two weeks ago.

“It was brilliant to secure the league title, and to get it done at home in front of a big crowd made it all the better for the lads,” said manager Collie O’Neill.

“We had been top of the table for the majority of the season so it was great to finally get the trophy in our hands.

“We've a great young squad here and the First Division title was in fact the third title this squad has won this year, after winning the Collingwood and CUFL titles earlier in the season.

“It really shows the strength of our scholarship system at the minute and we are now really looking forward to next season and the upcoming Colleges and Universities season.”

Although the Students come into this FAI Cup semi-final tie as massive underdogs, O’Neill will be hoping to beat champions-elect Dundalk at their own game.

Both teams have put a huge emphasis on an attractive brand of football throughout the last number of years, albeit at different levels.

“Friday night against Dundalk gives us another free shot of a game. We have nothing to lose and we’ll will give it a real go,” added the UCD manager.

“It’s going to be the toughest game we’ve had to play this season as we’re playing the team who has constantly been the best in the country over the last few years.

“All I can ask of our guys is that they perform to the best of their ability, as they have done in every game this season. The mood in the camp is good and everyone is relishing the test.”

Defender Evan Osam is UCD’s only definite absentee for this semi-final clash after he picked up a hamstring injury in the second half of that decisive match against Finn Harps two weeks ago.

Referee: Robert Hennessey.

MATCH FACTS

In the event of this FAI Cup semi-final finishing as a draw after 90 minutes, UCD and Dundalk will face each other again for a replay on Monday, 1st October at the UCD Bowl (kick-off 7.45pm).

UCD haven’t recorded a win of any kind against Dundalk since beating the Lilywhites 3-2 at Oriel Park in a league fixture in May 2013.

The scorers for UCD that night were David McMillan (twice) and current Dundalk midfielder Robbie Benson, while Patrick Hoban scored twice for Dundalk.

BETTING

Dundalk 2/11; Draw 5/1; UCD 9/1.

PREDICTION

Dundalk 2-0 UCD

Dundalk

Injured: Karolis Chvedukas, Stephen O’Donnell.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

UCD

Injured: Evan Osam.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.