EA Sports Cup Preview: Dundalk -v- UCD

DUNDALK

The Lilywhites face an out of sorts UCD at Oriel Park on Monday evening in the EA Sports Cup with a semi-final spot at stake. (Kick-off is at 7.45pm)

Dundalk come into Monday evening’s encounter against the Students following their most recent last gasp win over St Patrick’s Athletic on Friday evening.

Sean Hoare’s unconventional goal secured all three points for his side as he blocked down a clearance from a corner with moments to go.

“I think it’s great for us and the squad that we kept going, kept going, kept going on Friday. I think that we deserved to win on the night,” Vinny Perth told his club’s official media team.  

“We had a lot of the ball against a very difficult St. Patrick’s Athletic side who played five across the back. We had to break them down.”

 “We had to stick to what we were good at. Some people will call it luck – I don’t. We pushed Pat’s into submission, they were excellent to be fair, but I thought we deserved the win and we are delighted with (it).

“The challenge of playing Friday-Monday-Friday is difficult. We are happy with how we played. We are happy with our form.

“We have shown the quality in the squad over the past few weeks, the substitutions the other night were brilliant and made a huge difference for us again.”

“The focus is now on tomorrow night. It’s a huge game for the club against UCD and we are delighted with the support that we have got.

“The support over the last two months I felt has been brilliant. It has given us a huge lift. The only trophy that we don’t own is the League Cup and we want to win it back.”

In terms of team news for the Oriel Park outfit, Sean Murray and Patrick McEleney are both doubts while Jamie McGrath and Robbie Benson are ruled out.

UCD

After nine successive defeats on the spin, Collie O’Neill’s confidence shorn UCD face the daunting trip to Oriel Park as they face league and cup champions Dundalk in the EA Sports Cup.

Coincidentally, the last time the Students scored was against Dundalk as Yoyo Mahdy opened the scoring in a 3-1 defeat at home to the Lilywhites on Easter Monday.

On their last EA Sports Cup outing, UCD saw off the challenge of Shelbourne in the last second of the game thanks to Timmy Molloy’s wonder-strike.

UCD fell behind early on after an early Derek Prendergast header before Neil Farrugia and Molloy both stepped up to secure their passage through to the quarter final stage.

Most recently, UCD fell to a one-nil defeat away to Waterford in the league with Zach Elbouzedi’s proving to be enough with Conor Kearns impressing in the Students goal.

The Belfield outfit have opted for a change in shape in recent weeks and O’Neill will be hoping that it will pay off with goals this time with Farrugia and Jason McClelland both acting as wingbacks.     

UCD have not provided team news, although, Evan Osam will miss out.

Referee: David Dunne.

MATCH STATS

UCD have not beaten their Co. Louth opposition in nine attempts, with their last win over the Lilywhites coming back in 2013.

Dundalk were knocked out at the semi-final stage of the EA Sports Cup in last years competition by First Division Cobh Ramblers.

Dundalk secured their passage to the quarter final of this years EA Sports Cup thanks to a 2-1 win over St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park.

BETTING

Dundalk 1/8; Draw 11/2; UCD 12/1.

PREDICTION

Dundalk 1-1 UCD

Dundalk

Injured: Robbie Benson, Jamie McGrath.

Doubtful: Sean Murray, Patrick McEleney.

Suspended: None.

UCD

Injured: Evan Osam.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.