League Preview: St. Pat's -v- UCD

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Thu, Aug 14 2014




ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC

The Students are the visitors to Richmond Park on Friday evening as Pats prepare to welcome not just UCD but also Setanta Sports, for what should be an entertaining evening of football.

 

Liam Buckley speaking ahead of the game looked back at last weekend's Cork game with a feeling of disappointment as a bumper crowd in Turner’s Cross witnessed THAT goal.

 

"I thought we worked hard and we created a number of chances. I think a draw would have been a fair result but we were undone by that late spectacular goal. We have two games this weekend but our focus is on the visit of UCD first and we will set out to win the game."


"Aaron Callaghan’s teams are always well organized and we expect a difficult game but I believe we have the players to win the game."

 

Buckley does not have the privilege of a full squad to choose from with James Chambers set to face a late fitness test ahead of the 8PM kick off. Mark Quigley on the other hand is certain to miss out due to his red card last weekend against Cork City while Chris Forrester and Sean Hoare are once again available for selection following their bans. Ken Oman is also a doubt for this clash as he has picked up a calf injury.

 

UCD

The College have been on a bad run lately and now find themselves in the midst of a relegation battle as Athlone continue to pick up points with the midlanders now having narrowed the gap at the bottom to just 6 points.

 

Aaron Callaghan's men come into this game having just about escaped with a scoreless draw last Friday against Bohemians although it was clear for all to see that The Students were second best for the majority of the contest.

 

The injury list has been gradually getting bigger every week at Belfield with star man Dean Clarke continuing to work his way back from a lengthy lay off caused by a troublesome back injury. Mark Langtry suffered a broken ankle against Derry City but has dismissed speculation that he will now be out for the season instead revealing that he is hoping to make a return in time for UCD's vital run in at the rear end of the campaign.

 

Thomas Boyle has also seen more of the physio's room than the Belfield pitch in recent weeks as injuries continue to sideline the talented centre back.

 

All in all things are not looking promising for the College heading into this tie but stranger things have happened as an under fire Callaghan will be hoping to instil into his squad.

 

"Playing St Patricks Athletic in Richmond Park is never an easy game. Although earlier in the season we really put it up to them and perhaps could have taken the lead late in the game before they scored their last minute winner. Hopefully it will be another entertaining game."

 

Referee: Robert Harvey

 

 

MATCH FACTS

Pats are going for their ninth straight home win when they take on UCD in Richmond Park on Friday night.

 

Fagan has scored ten times during Pats current winning run whilst his Inchicore team-mates have added a further 16 goals during this impressive run of form.

 

Athlone are the only side to have lost more away games this season than UCD with the College losing out on a whopping eight times during their eleven away fixtures.

 

 

BETTING

St Patrick's Athletic 1/7; Draw 6/1; UCD 16/1

 

PREDICTION

St Patrick's Athletic 3-1 UCD

 

 

St Patrick's Athletic

Injured: None

Doubtful: Ken Oman (calf), James Chambers

Suspended: Mark Quigley

 

UCD

Injured: Mark Langtry, Thomas Boyle, Dean Clarke

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None