Credit:
UCD -v- Wexford Youths
- Lloyd Murphy
- Fri, Apr 17 2009
Table-toppers UCD will hope to make it seven wins from seven, as they take on Wexford Youths at the Belfield Bowl tonight. The students are just off the back of an excellent result against Shelbourne, and will be looking to build on last week’s great performance.
Having just won one game on their travels this season, Wexford face a tough challenge in coming away with any points from this game. Wexford themselves, had a great result in the EA Sports League Cup against Limerick on Monday. So their confidence should be high.
Team News
Manager Martin Russell has a few defensive changes to make for tonight’s game. Brian Shorthall will miss the game through suspension after being sent off in the closing stages of last weeks game.
Sean Harding is definitely out. He will need at least a couple of more weeks to recover from a back injury. Gareth Matthews is considered doubtful for the game with an injured hip. Mick Leahy and Ciaran Nagle will likely deputise at full-back.
Greg Bolger however is once again available for selection having playing in the midweek EA Sports League Cup won over Tullamore.
Mick Wallace has a bit of a selection headache as a lot of his fringe players put in a great performance against Limerick in the cup and will be certainly pushing for places in tonight’s fixture.
Penalty hero Pa Doyle will be hoping to challenge Packie Holden for a place in goal, while there were some great performances put it from the likes of Shane Dempsey and Johnny Flynn O’Connor.
Mick Wallace has a big squad to choose from, but there are still a few long term injuries. Tim McGrath, Kyle Dempsey, Danny Furlong, Paul Murphy, Lee Aust, and Gary Sheehan are all still on the treatment table.
Russell’s View
The Students come into this game on the back of a 3-1 win away to Shelbourne. “The performance was good. I was very pleased with the result as it was a tough, tough game,” said UCD manager Martin Russell.
“The manner in which we played also pleased me,” said the UCD manager.
Having notched up a win over Tullamore midweek in the EA Sports Cup, UCD has a 100 percent record in all competitions this season. Russell said he knows his squad will need to avoid complacency if it is to maintain this form.
“We know Wexford will come in off a good win in Limerick [in the EA Sports Cup]. We know everybody is going to want to beat us and stop us continuing our run,” said the UCD manager.
Odds outlook
Paddypowers make UCD hot favourites for tonight’s game at 4/11, Wexford are 15/2 and the draw is priced at 11/4.
extratime.ie Prediction
Going on the recent form of the students, I can’t seen anything past a comfortable home win. 3-0.
About Lloyd Murphy
Lloyd Murphy has yet to write anything about themselves but click on the bio link to view all past work.