Cobh Ramblers vs UCD,
Saturday, April 1st,
St Colman’s Park,
7.15
Cobh Ramblers will be looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the season as they welcome UCD to St Colman’s Park this weekend.
Ramblers went down 4-1 away to Cabinteely at the weekend, and boss Stephen Henderson is promising a response.
“It was an extremely bad day at the office. It was just poor all round. We conceded three goals from set pieces, a few individual errors. We deserved to lose the game. I feel sorry for our keeper Paul Hunt, because he pulled of two or three world class saves during the game. But we just have to get on with it. It’s a kick up the backside, and we have to get back on it this Saturday.
“This has happened with us a few times over the years. We go on a good run, we get a little bit ahead of ourselves. We have a way of playing and when we stick to that we’re very good. When we go away from that, we tend to get ourselves into trouble.
“Am I embarrassed about it? Yes I am. Are the players embarrassed about it? Yes they are. I didn’t see the 4-1 defeat coming. But every time we’ve lost in the past the group has used that as something to learn from.”
Henderson is full of praise for this weekend’s opponents, labelling UCD as one of the favourites for the 1st Division title.
“They have a pick of some of the best players in the country, so they’re always going to be a good team. And Collie O’Neill is a great coach, he has them playing in a very effective way. So they’re always going to be among the favourites. I enjoy playing UCD, I enjoy the battle with them.
“So it’s going to be a very good game, it’s the perfect game for us after the defeat to Cabinteely. It’s a chance for the players to stand up and be counted. And after a bad week, what better way to show people what we’re really about by going out against one of the favourites and really performing at a high level.”
On the injury news front, captain Christopher McCarthy is a doubt after picking up an ankle injury against Cabinteely, while Ross Mann is also a doubt with a foot problem. Ian Mylod remains absent due to an ankle injury.y
“And we have about seven players with bruised egos” said Henderson, in reference to the defeat to Cabinteely.
INJURY NEWS : Ian Mylod (ankle) OUT, Christopher McCarthy (ankle), Ross Mann (foot), Jason Abbott, Cian Kingston all doubtful.
LEAGUE FORM (MOST RECENT FIRST) : L W D W D
SUSPENSIONS : None
2016 MEETINGS : UCD 0-1 Ramblers, 16/09, Ramblers 1-1 UCD 23/07, UCD 3-1 Ramblers 13/05, Ramblers 0-2 UCD 26/03.