Cork City -v- UCD

CORK CITY

Cork City will be desperately looking for three points against UCD on Friday night, especially after the concession of two last-minute equalisers over the weekend against Shamrock Rovers and Drogheda United, which cost the Rebel Army four points.

Darren Dennehy returns from suspension for the tie but will miss the trip to Sligo Rovers next week, having been suspended for one extra game following his red card against Shamrock Rovers on Friday night. Both Brian Lenihan and Captain Kevin Murray are missing due to groin injuries, while Neal Horgan is carrying a knee injury and will also miss the game.

Speaking to CorkCityFC.ie, manager Tommy Dunne outlined his views ahead of the game:

“I don’t think tomorrow night’s result will make or break the season, but we need to try to win every home game. UCD are a tough team, they will be competitive against any team they face.

“I was at Belfield on Monday night to see UCD face Sligo Rovers. I think Martin Russell has done a fantastic job at UCD over the last few years, and while they have not started the season well, I do think they are a solid team who have the potential to be dangerous opponents for any team.”

UCD

UCD travel south to Cork on the back of a 3-0 defeat at the hands of league leaders Sligo Rovers, and are in dire need of three points. The Students currently languish at the foot of the Airtricity League Premier Division, with just a solitary point on the board and a goal difference of -13.

College boss Martin Russell will have to make do without the trio of Robbie Benson, Dean Clarke and captain Mick Leahy, who are all injured, but is still in good spirits going into the match:

"Turner's Cross is a ground that every young player should relish playing in and this is another opportunity for our players to develop. There is no doubt that Cork have strengthened their squad again this season and but for conceding some late goals they would be even higher in the table. It is going to be a test, and one that we are looking forward to."

David McMillan, the club’s top goal scorer this season, believes that UCD can turn things around as long as the squad remains positive:

"We know Turner's Cross is a difficult place to get three points, especially when you consider the depth of experience in the Cork City squad but we are looking forward to the challenge and we'll be giving it everything to try and do just that."

Referee: Sean Grant.

MATCH STATS

UCD took six points from the Leeside outfit last season, beating them 1-0 on the opening night of the season at the UCD Bowl, and 3-1 at the same venue later on in the season.

Cork City extracted some form of retribution at Turner’s Cross in May of that season however, winning 4-2 – In fact, UCD haven’t won in Cork since the 25^th of January 2003.

The Rebel Army have the fourth meanest defence in the League of Ireland with just four goals conceded so far this season, while the Students have the worst, shipping 18. UCD have scored one more goal than their adversaries however, with five to City’s four.

BETTING

Cork City 2/5, Draw 16/5, UCD 7/1.

PREDICTION

Cork City 2-0 UCD. The Rebel Army should have enough attacking talent to overcome a College defence that has looked extremely leaky this season.

Cork City

Injured: Brian Lenihan, Kevin Murray, Neal Horgan.
Doubtful: Daryl Horgan (ankle), Adam Rundle (knee).
Suspended: None.

UCD

Injured: Robbie Benson, Mick Leahy, Dean Clarke.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.