UCDSOCCER.COM looks ahead to Friday night's game at The Brandywell
UCD AFC travel to Derry City in the Airtricity League Premier Division on Friday (Sep 21st). The game at The Brandywell has a 7.45pm kick off.
Due to the league game vs Monaghan not taking place and not being involved in the FAI Ford Cup, it’s two weeks since UCD have played a competitive game since the 2-1 win over Dundalk on September 7th.
The club will be looking to continue their good recent form with four wins from the previous five league games.
The mini break has seen the return to full training of three long term injury absentees.
Strikers Cillian Morrison (ankle) and Graham Rusk (Shin) have both trained full over the last couple of weeks as has midfielder Chris Mulhall (groin) and all three are well on their way to recovery and hope to make their returns to action soon.
Goalkeeper John Kelly may need surgery on his groin injury and is unlikely to play any further part this season.
Centre back David O’Connor, who missed the win in Dundalk with a hamstring injury also returns while defender/midfielder Mark Langtry is also back in the squad after a couple of months abroad on work placement.
UCD have played Derry City on three occasions this season and so far have failed to secure a win. A 0-0 draw in the league in the Brandywell and narrow 1-0 defeats at home in both the league and the FAI Cup.
Last 5 results:
Aug 17th UCD 3-1 Cork City (Leahy, OG, Benson)
Aug 20th Sligo Rovers 3-0 UCD
Aug 24th UCD 0-1 Derry City (FAI Ford Cup)
Aug 31st UCD 3-1 Bray Wanderers (McMillan, P O’Conor, Lyons)
Sep 7th Dundalk 2-1 UCD (McMillan 2)
Looking ahead to the game, Manager Martin Russell gave his thoughts:
General thoughts:“We are looking to continue our run of recent victories but we know Derry will be full of confidence after their superb win v Mervue in the cup last week and that will keep their season very much alive.”
On The Brandywell: “The Brandywell is a formidable place to go but also a place where the fans appreciate good football and hopefully we can come away with the three points on the night.”
On the improving injury list: “Most of the long term injury lads have had their first full week back, we are realistic and they will need more time to return to full fitness but it’s good to see them off the treatment table.”
On previous games v Derry this season: “The pattern of the games against Derry so far this season have been tight but we know we will have to play well to come away with something.”
