FAI Cup Preview: UCD -v- St Patrick's Athletic

UCD

UCD begin the post-Collie O’Neill era with a daunting second round home tie against Dublin rivals St Patrick’s Athletic at the UCD Bowl on Friday evening (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

O’Neill departed the Students on Monday evening following the clubs heaviest ever defeat against Bohemians last time out.

Jason McClelland’s superb consolation strike was not enough to save the Students from embarrassment, scoring late on and ensuring they would not go home with a blank.

O’Neill was soon replaced by under-19 boss Maciej Tarnogrodzki on Wednesday evening on a permanent basis.

Tarnogrodzki previously acted as caretaker manager of Bray Wanderers in 2015 following the departure of Alan Matthews.

The 43 year old was appointed as UCD’s under-19 boss ahead of the 2017 campaign where he oversaw the development of many of the club’s current first-team stars.

While in charge, the Polish native managed the club’s under-19s in the UEFA Youth League where they fell to a heart-breaking penalty defeat away to Norwegian side Molde.

In terms of team news for the Students for their second round FAI Cup clash, the quartet of Evan Osam, Josh Collins, Sean McDonald and Paul Doyle all miss out.

Conor Kearns remains suspended following the post-match fracas at home to Bohemians.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

After seeing off the challenge of Sligo Rovers to re-ignite their European aspirations, St Patrick’s Athletic make the short trip across the capital to face a morale-sapped UCD.

Dave Webster’s late winner was enough to see Harry Kenny’s side secure victory at Richmond Park after Romeo Parkes had given the Bit O’Red a first-half lead.

Glen McAuley had levelled proceedings early on in the second half with a fine finish after a lovely through ball from midfielder Jamie Lennon.

Speaking after the win over Sligo, Kenny soon switched his focus to the trip to UCD in the FAI Cup.

“We take every game on its merits and UCD will be no different,” the former Bray Wanderers boss told extratime.ie.

“I’ll base the team on how we go during the week and on tonight’s performance.

“There’ll be no changes for the sake of changes, if players perform well in games they’ll play and if players do well in training, they’ll play. That’s the way I’ll look at it.”

Mikey Drennan is the Saints only absentee ahead of the trip to Belfield, having picked up a heavy four game ban in recent weeks.

Referee: Graham Kelly.

MATCH STATS

UCD reached the second round of the FAI Cup thanks to a 5-2 win over Letterkenny Rovers in the first round. Liam Kerrigan’s brace in the closing minutes of the game secured the Students passage into the next round.

The Athletic sealed their passage to the second round thanks to a 2-1 win over First Division Bray Wanderers. Dave Webster and Glen McAuley both overturned a first half deficit to seal the deal for the Inchicore side.   

BETTING

UCD 11/1; Draw 4/1; St Patrick’s Athletic 1/5.

PREDICTION

UCD 0 - 3 St Patrick’s Athletic

UCD

Injured: Evan Osam, Josh Collins, Sean McDonald, Paul Doyle.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Conor Kearns.

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: Unavailable.

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Suspended: Mikey Drennan.