Jamie Moore looks ahead to tonight's game, UCD's last of the season
UCD AFC host Shelbourne in the Airtricity League Premier Division on Friday (Oct 26th)
The game at The UCD Bowl has a 7.45pm and is our last game of the 2012 Airtricity League.
Last time out UCD were beaten 2-1 against Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium. Dave McMillan got UCD’s goal and a contender for goal of the season.
UCD AFC and Shels have met twice this season. Shels won 2-0 in The Bowl in May. A Philly Gorman goal inside after 20 seconds and a second from David Cassidy secured the win. UCD got their revenge in Tolka Park in August thanks to a 2-1 win. A cracker from Dave McMillan and a last gasp winner from the departing Paul Corry secured the points.
Injuries
Goalkeeper John Kelly returned to training during the week after a long spell out with a groin injury but he won’t be involved tomorrow.
Other long term injury absentees Graham Rusk (shin and groin) and Cillian Morrison (ankle) have both returned to full training and are available for selection.
Centre back David O’Connor is out of the game after suffering a hamstring injury in the college’s 2-1 win over DIT yesterday.
Manager Martin Russell has an otherwise fully fit squad to select from.
Last 5 results:
Sep 21st Derry City 1-2 UCD (McCabe, McMillan)
Sep 28th UCD 2-2 Bohemians (Ledwith, McMillan)
Oct 1st St. Pats 5-0 UCD
Oct 13th UCD 1-0 Drogheda United (McMillan)
Oct 19th Shamrock Rovers 2-1 UCD (McMillan)
Some thoughts from Manager Martin Russell:
“Our last game away to Shamrock Rovers was disappointing from a points view, but I must commend our group of players for their play in the majority of the game. It was great to see such a positive response to get back in the game, after a double body blow in conceding two goals so quickly. I think when you witness David McMillan’s strike and watch the whole move for the goal, he has more than a claim for goal of the season which may not go down to well in his household with brother Evan of Bohemians also in the mix.
“We all have views on winning and losing, but the fact is there was no shame in how we went about our work in Tallaght Stadium and the beauty is that like Tolka Park, Richmond, The Showgrounds, Dalymount and The Brandywell, we will be going back to these big stadiums again next season.”
“Going back to our matches in the first Division we have had keenly fought and tight encounters against Shels. Although league positions may not alter for us with a 9th placed finish guaranteed, Shels can still climb a couple of places, so I believe both teams will play to try and secure another victory to add to their final points tally”
