UCD welcome Athlone Town to the UCD Bowl on Friday night hoping to repeat the results of last season, where they defeated Athlone twice during the SSE Airtricity League First Division campaign.
Last season, UCD may have edged this encounter home and away but the new season will provide a different challenge for the students, most notably how they adapt to life without YoYo Mahdy, their top scorer last season. In Colm Whelan, scorer of 14 league goals last term, they do still present a danger in attack for Athlone’s defence to be worried about.
Athlone’s manager, Adrian Carberry will be hoping to see further development of his team, who impressed many in their run to the FAI Cup semi-finals last season despite the outcome of that clash with Dundalk which ended that season. Having strengthened in many sectors of the squad they are expected to perform better this season.
In pre-season, Athlone Town have performed well against Premier Division teams on five occasions. Notably, their pre-season draw to midland rivals Longford Town will have given them confidence seeing how Longford have adapted to life in the Premier Division last weekend.
Speaking on the FinalWhistle League of Ireland podcast a number of weeks ago, Carberry set a target of qualifying for the promotion playoffs for his strengthened side.
Prediction: UCD 2-0 Athlone Town
Paul Regan
A sports nut who has coached at underage level in the League of Ireland. Passionate about domestic football.