FAI Intermediate Cup Preview: Maynooth University Town -v- Crumlin United

MAYNOOTH UNIVERSITY TOWN

The two outstanding teams in the Leinster Senior League over the past 12 months come face to face at NUI Maynooth on Friday night (kick-off 8pm).

The FAI Intermediate Cup holders are the only unbeaten team, other than Crumlin, in intermediate football this season and have run away with the LSL Senior 1 Division since day one.

16 wins and three wins in the league – and, of course, a flawless record in the cup – sees Maynooth on the cusp of promotion to the top tier of amateur ball for the first time.

Sunday saw former Bohemians and Drogheda United midfielder Darragh Reynor crowned FAI intermediate player of the year for his role in the club’s resurgence.

His injury-time goal kickstarted the remarkable comeback in the 2018 Intermediate Cup final as Maynooth overcame Firhouse Clover 4-1 after looking dead and buried on 90 minutes.

And Reynor has been key to the club’s form this year, which has seen them win all but three league games and potentially clinching the title in the next two weeks.

Maynooth’s route to the final this season has seen them beat Malahide United away in Gannon Park before seeing off fellow college side UCC in Maynooth earlier this month.

There is no team news available for Maynooth University Town.

CRUMLIN UNITED

If Maynooth seem destined to top LSL Senior 1 this season, they’ll likely enter a league held by Crumlin United.

Martin Loughran’s side have swept all before them in the league this season with 12 wins from their 16 games and four draws.

Only for the outstanding challenge of Gary Howlett’s Killester Donnycarney (whom Crumlin saw off in the previous round), Crumlin would have run away with the league already.

As it stands, the 2016 Intermediate Cup champions are two points clear at the top with one fewer game played, while defending champions Bluebell United are a further five points back.

Crumlin’s route to the semi-finals has included wins over Letterkenny Rovers – last year’s semi-finalists – and Killester Donnycarney.

Referee: TBC

MATCH STATS

Both sides are undefeated in their respective league campaigns this season, with Maynooth boasting 16 wins and three draws to Crumlin’s 12 wins and four draws.

The sides last met in the Noel Ryan Cup in 2017, when Crumlin ran out 4-1 winners in Pearse Park thanks to goals from Curtis Murphy, Jake Donnelly and a brace from Maliek Benrougoubi.

BETTING

Maynooth University Town 3/1; Draw 11/4; Crumlin United 8/13.

PREDICTION

Maynooth University Town 2 – 1 Crumlin United

Maynooth University Town

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.

Crumlin United

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.