League Preview: UCD -v- Limerick
Credit:
UCD
The Students started the season in torrid fashion with a demoralising loss to Bohemians in their opener. Pride was somewhat restored the following week with a last minute defeat to champions St Pats. Since then, a hard fought win against Athlone Town at the Bowl before a thrilling five three triumph over rivals Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds last week saw the Students rise to the lofty heights of sixth in the Premier Division table.
The star of the season so far for UCD has emerged in the form of 19 year-old Ayman Ben Mohamad. Thrust into his first league start against Bohs, he picked up a knock and was forced off. What has followed though is outstanding. Having dismantled Ger O’Brien at Richmond Park, Ben Mohamad scored a superb goal against Athlone which proved the match winner. He has backed that up with a double assist outing in Bray last Friday and picked up the accolade of being in the Extratime.ie Team of the Month for March.
UCD have just the one injury worry heading into the clash of the blues with Ian Ryan out with a foot problem. Speaking about the upcoming game, the man who will return to the sidelines on Friday; Aaron Callaghan remarked: "I couldn't have asked for more from my players last Friday night and if we recreate that level of performance regularly throughout the season we will begin to pick up more points and climb further up the league."
LIMERICK
It’s fair to say the Shannonsiders would have hoped for more points on the board then they have amassed so far. Just two points from four games screams second season syndrome but it may not be that bleak as the men in blue as they are looking to welcome back Striker Craig Curran and experienced defender Robbie Williams back in contention. Stuart Taylor will “Take That” I assume.
Something Taylor didn’t take well was the defeat to Drogheda United last time out. It was a bitter taste in the mouth of a former Drog but he is looking on the bright side of things: “I looked back over the DVD of the Drogheda game and we had some really good chances,” Taylor told LimerickFC.ie. “It was disappointing not to have taken them and no doubt on another day we would have. But we didn’t do it on the night and that was disappointing.
He continued that UCD may not be the same style as in previous years but have had a great start to the campaign while stating that his Limerick side are as good as anyone in the league when they’re stars are fit and raring to go: “UCD have started very, very well. I’ve been up to see them personally and they’re a little bit different to what they were last year.
“They’re not the same passing side as they were. Cork have made strong additions in the close-season. They’ve started the season well.
“But I’m quite sure once we’ve got a full squad back up and running and we’ve got them game-time under their belts, we have as good a team as anyone else in the league. Six points is the wish-list this weekend but also no injuries.”
Referee: David McKeon
MATCH STATS
Both UCD and Limerick are yet to register a goal between the 15th and 30th minute of a league game this season.
No side has netted more times in the league this season than UCD. They hold that record with league leaders Shamrock Rovers.
Only Derry City have been involved in games with less goals than those competed in by Limerick whose fans have seen just six goals between the for and against columns this term.
BETTING
UCD 6/4; Draw 11/5; Limerick 17/10
PREDICTION
A 3-0 win for UCD is what I am going for. Limerick are bound to be rusty up front with Craig Curran only returning while the Students have scored nine in their last three games.
UCD
Injured: Ian Ryan (Foot)
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Limerick FC
Injured: Michael Leahy (Knee), Danny Galbraith
Doubtful: Tony Whitehead, Colm Murphy, Shane Costelloe
Suspended: None
