Longford vs UCD

**DmanDmythDledge** · 11/08/2006, 12:48 AM

This is the first time in a few weeks that we have gone into a game in good spirits. I'm feeling confident about this match, although nothing should be taken for granted seeing that Longford are in good form at the moment, keeping clean sheets in their last 4 games. We will have to match our performance against Sligo to get 3 points out of this game, barring a poor performace from Longford.

A win would be great for trying to get into the top six. We would be 4 points clear of Longford, and with Pats and Sligo facing Derry and Drogs respectively we would probably be within a win of them if we get maximum points. We shouldn't worry too much about the games in hand as they will be against one of the top 4 sides, so there is still plenty of room for optimsim(Poor Student

).

I'm going for a 1-0 win for us with Sammon to score in the second half.

**Schumi** · 11/08/2006, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by DmanDmythDledge

This is the first time in a few weeks that we have gone into a game in good spirits.

First time in a few weeks that we've won the previous game.

2-1, goals from Finn and Tony Mac.

**De Town** · 11/08/2006, 11:20 AM

Think we'll scrape a 1-0 win. Wouldn't be too shocked with a 0-0 draw though.

**Poor Student** · 11/08/2006, 12:13 PM

I think Longford will win. We rarely win back to back games.

**pineapple stu** · 11/08/2006, 12:28 PM

Our record over the past 15 games or so has been very good. Only games we've lost are a narrow 1-0 in Cork, that 6-0 aberration in Tolka and the 1-0 straight after when we were recovering. Other than that, we're unbeaten since the Dublin City game (or the Bohs game at the end of April, if you want!); 12 games in all. We've been playing reasonably well and should have gotten more points - in particular from the games against Longford, Bray and Cork. We really should have won the Longford game in particular. No reason we can't win this game, or at least take a point.

**Schumi** · 11/08/2006, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Our record over the past 15 games or so has been very good. Only games we've lost are a narrow 1-0 in Cork, that 6-0 aberration in Tolka and the 1-0 straight after when we were recovering. Other than that, we're unbeaten since the Dublin City game (or the Bohs game at the end of April, if you want!); 12 games in all.

So other than the games we've lost, we're unbeaten for ages.

**pineapple stu** · 11/08/2006, 12:34 PM

That's damned good for us!

Other than games against the champions for the last three years, and the game after losing 6-0, we're unbeaten since April. We even went through most of June without conceding!

**Poor Student** · 11/08/2006, 12:45 PM

There's lies, damned lies and statistics.

**DmanDmythDledge** · 11/08/2006, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

That's damned good for us!

Other than games against the champions for the last three years, and the game after losing 6-0, we're unbeaten since April. We even went through most of June without conceding!

How many games?

**pineapple stu** · 11/08/2006, 12:52 PM

Well, there was the mid-season break...

We have been playing well of late though. WHich was my point.

**Poor Student** · 11/08/2006, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Well, there was the mid-season break...

We have been playing well of late though. WHich was my point.

There's some truth to what you're saying. We haven't been beaten all that much recently and even then only by the best sides (Bohs aside). However, we've also won only one game in the last seven and that is concerning. It's possible the team is finding shape now with Crowley and Finn coming in and Tony Mac back. Having missed the Sligo game I am really looking forward to seeing how the team looks in Longford but I still remain worried given Longford's good form and our inabaility to win a game.

**John83** · 11/08/2006, 1:35 PM

Originally Posted by Poor Student

There's lies, damned lies and statistics.

And then there's Pineapple Stu's statistics.

**pineapple stu** · 13/08/2006, 1:34 AM

UCD and Longford had to settle for a share of the spoils after an open game in Flancare Park on Saturday night. Although both sides created their fair share of chances, they lacked the ability to convert them and a scoreless draw was always on the cards.

After last week's win in Sligo, UCD were unchanged and came out on top in the opening stages. Gary Dicker in particular had a glorious chance to open the scoring, but his shot from ten yards out was over. Some good work from Conor Sammon then set up Pat McWalter for a run at Mick Dempsey in the Longford goal, but the keeper was equal to his shot and parried away for a corner.

There was drama at the other end too, with Darren Quigley picking up a booking after a melee arising from a Robbie Martin cross across the six yard box. Quigley caught the ball at his second attempt, but in doing so landed on top of a Longford player who had fallen over him; a scuffle ensued, and the referee called Quigley aside to issue him with a yellow. The Ireland U-21 international was needed as the game approached half-time when he tipped Danny O'Connor's superb 20-yard drive around the post.

After an open opening period which UCD about shaded, the game petered out in the second, with little excitement until the game perked up in the last fifteen minutes, largely coinciding with the introduction of Paul Byrne. On a couple of occasions, UCD got good breaks going with Sammon, Byrne and Derek Doyle, but the Longford defence was just about able to cover back. However, in the end, a draw was a fair reflection of the game, and the Students will be happy with their haul of four points from two tricky away games.

UCD - Quigley; Mahon, Kenna, McNally, McDonnell; Crowley, McWalter, Dicker, Doyle; Finn (Byrne 74); Sammon. Subs not used - Hussey, Ryan, AN Other, AN Other. Anyone catch them? Presumably Shortall and Kavanagh like last week, unless Doyle was on the bench.