UCD v Derry City: Match Preview

 UCD AFC v. Derry City FC, League of Ireland Premier Division Round 26, Belfield Bowl, Wednesday 6^TH September 2023, kick-off 7.45pm

 

            Derry City are back up to second place in the Premier Division table after an impressive 3-1 away win over Dundalk on Friday. A Will Patching brace, either side of a goal from Ben Doherty, saw the Candystripes overcome their Louth opposition despite having just 27.8% possession. Particular mention must be given to Brian Maher in the City goal, who made a string of phenomenal saves to keep his side firmly within the title race.

 

            Derry City capitalised on St Pat’s’ defeat to rivals Shelbourne to leapfrog the Inchicore side and heat up the race for the league title. Leaders Shamrock Rovers’ 3-0 win over Bohemians in the other Dublin Derby of the evening has seen them extend their lead at the top to 7 points, but Derry still have to face Rovers and have a game in hand. Shelbourne’s win saw them move into fifth place and above Dundalk, whilst the loss for Bohemians has given Derry a 3 point buffer over Bohs in fifth.

 

            Ruaidhrí Higgins made three changes to the side that drew 2-2 against Bohemians in Dalymount, handing a second Derry City debut to Sam Todd, who signed from UCD earlier in the summer. That was Todd’s first appearance this season following injury, and his first Derry City appearance since 2017 when he lined out against FC Midtjylland in a Europa League Qualifier. Shane McEleney partnered Todd in central defence, replacing Mark Connolly who came off injured against Bohs. Cameron McJannet started in left back and allowed Ben Doherty, who was preferred to Michael Duffy, license to play further forward. Patrick McEleney began in the midfield for the first time since early August, replacing Sadou Diallo.

 Due to the injury-hit City defence, no defenders were named on the bench. Ronan Boyce, Cameron Dummigan and Mark Connolly were not included in the team and it’ll be unlikely to see any of the three feature against UCD, unless it’s off the bench to gain a bit of match sharpness ahead of the game against Shamrock Rovers on the 15^th. Against UCD, I’d expect Ruaidhrí Higgins to rotate his squad in order to keep his preferred starting eleven sharp for the game against Rovers next week. Brandon Kavanagh, Jordan McEneff and Jamie McGonigle came off the bench against Dundalk, and will likely feature against UCD. Cian Kavanagh will also be hoping to play against The Students, as he hasn’t appeared for Derry since the game against Tobol Kostanay in Tallaght three weeks ago.

 

            UCD are rock-bottom of the League of Ireland Premier Division and are playing for little more than pride before their relegation is confirmed. They have won just two games this season; against Sligo Rovers in June and at home to Cork City in May. They have, however, drawn against Shelbourne, Dundalk and Bohemians this season already, meaning Derry will have to be clinical if they are to win comfortably. With eight games to go, UCD are seventeen points behind Cork City in ninth place. Their FAI Cup hopes finished with a 5-1 home defeat to First Division leaders Galway United too. They lost 3-0 to Drogheda United on Friday, they haven’t won in five, and they haven’t kept a clean sheet in twenty games either – it’s not looking good for The Students.

 Derry, on the other hand, are in good form and need a win against UCD to be just four points behind Shamrock Rovers in first. It’s easier said than done but should City beat UCD and Rovers, they will be just one point behind top spot. Derry haven’t dropped points against UCD since July 2019, when the sides played out a 0-0 draw in the Brandywell. UCD have beaten Derry 16 times in 68 league outings, but Derry have won nine and drawn one since that last defeat in October 2014. This season, Derry have scored eight goals and conceded just once in their two games against UCD so far. Jamie McGonigle won’t forget playing UCD in 2022 – he scored a hat-trick in a 7-1 win in the Brandywell – and will be hoping to get in on the goals on Wednesday too. City play UCD at home on the 29^th of September and will hope to be even closer to the summit by then.
The Students’ main threat comes from 21 year old striker Danu Kinsella-Bishop, who is their top scorer with five this term. Ciaran Behan is also one to keep an eye on in attacking midfield; he’s scored twice and made three assists in 2023. Donegal native, and UCD captain, Jack Keaney has made 27 appearances this season. Winger Daniel Norris has made 26 appearances, whilst seven other players have made over twenty appearances. One such player will be familiar to Derry City fans – midfielder Brendan Barr left Derry City to join UCD prior to the start of the 2023 season after loan deals in the Irish League with Ballymena United and Dungannon Swifts. The 22 year old plays deeper for The Students than he did at Derry, usually featuring in defensive midfield. Manager Andrew Myler is open to changing his system but has played a 4-2-3-1 in UCD’s previous three games. They have also lined out in a 4-4-2 this term, along with playing 5 in the defensive at times.
The Derry City players will need to be clinical in front of goal if they are to win all three points against UCD on Wednesday. This match is Derry’s game in hand over the other title hopefuls, meaning that a win would be crucial in continuing their title push. UCD have shown that they can hold stronger teams to draws this season, something which Ruaidhrí Higgins will have warned his players of. City haven’t lost in Belfield since 2005 and have won their last eleven games away to UCD, conceding just thrice. Derry will hope to extend this record on Wednesday and come back up the road happy, knowing they have nine days to prepare for the crunch tie against Shamrock Rovers.

 

Pól O’Hare – 4th September 2023