League Preview: Wexford Youths -v- UCD

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Fri, Mar 27 2015




WEXFORD YOUTHS

Wexford are set to welcome UCD later on this evening in what is a massively important game for both sides. Kick-off is 20:00.

 

A poor start by both sides has seen Youths and the College loose early ground in the race for the title and more importantly promotion to the holy grail of the Premier Division.

 

Shane Keegan must plan for this tie without the services of Stephen Last and Andy Mulligan, with the latter suffering an injury in the Youths comfortable victory over Cobh Ramblers last weekend. Johnny Bonner and Peter Higgins are also both doubtful for this clash as they work their way back from respective injuries.

 

However in some positive news for the men from the south-east, Ryan Delaney is set to return from suspension while Dean Broaders’s first team return is said to be imminent.

 

 

UCD

UCD will be desperate to get back to winning ways when they depart Belfield and head south this afternoon for a 7.45PM kick off later on today.

 

Collie O’Neill’s side have two weeks on the trot looked like they were going to pick up points but have instead fallen short in the second half and ended up losing the game. Perhaps a sign of just how young this squad is can be seen by the fact four UCD players competed in the Irish Schools win over Wales during the week.

 

Sean Coyne is going to miss out on this away game as he is suspended for his straight red card last Friday night against Athlone Town. Coyne will not have been happy postgame upon hearing the news that his side failed to hold onto their lead but O’Neill also struggled to stay composed on the sideline after seeing a late, late Gorman goal steal the points from his side.

 

“We were disappointed with last week’s result against Athlone, I thought we did enough to get at least a point out of the game but our task wasn’t helped by being down to 10 men for most of the second half. We have to dust ourselves down, not feel sorry for ourselves and go again this Friday against Wexford.”

 

The trip is made tougher again with the news that Mick Leahy, Maxi Kougoun and Mark Langtry all must come through late fitness tests before pulling on the blue jersey. Thankfully for UCD fans that is where the bad news ends as Robbie Benson, the club captain, is set to return to the fold having missed the start of the season through injury.

 

“We have a number of injuries for Friday’s game with Kougoun, Leahy, and Langtry all facing fitness tests ahead of the game. We also have four players involved with the Irish Schools team on Thursday, which is great for the lads and it’s always an honor to play for your country. On the plus side of things it will be a big boost to have Robbie Benson back in the squad for the game, with having such a young team we’ve badly missed his experience.”

 

Long term absentee Ian Ryan remains in the treatment room at the UCD Bowl for the time being.

 

Referee: Andrew Mullally

 

 

MATCH STATS

UCD ran out 1-0 winners the last time they visited Ferrycarrig Park, which was in July 2009, then goal that day came from John Reilly who is now playing with St Mochtas in non-league football.

 

The last time Wexford scored against UCD they ended up winning the game 1-0, back in April 2009.

 

The last five games from these two this year have seen UCD win just once while Youths are marginally better with two victories.

 

 

BETTING

Wexford Youths 11/10; Draw 11/5; UCD 11/5.

 

PREDICTION

Wexford Youths 1-2 UCD – result could easily flip the other way depending on which UCD players come through their late fitness test.

 

 

Wexford Youths

Injured: Stephen Last (knee), Andy Mulligan.

Doubtful: Johnny Bonner (back), Peter Higgins (hamstrings).

Suspended: None.

 

UCD

Injured: Ian Ryan.

Doubtful: Mick Leahy, Mark Langtry, Maxi Kouogun.

Suspended: Sean Coyne.