LOI preview: UCD and Waterford battle for Premier place

History repeating itself

We've been here before.

UCD against Waterford FC at Richmond Park on a November night, with Premier Division soccer the prize on offer.

Last season it was the Students making the short journey to Inchicore having come through the First Division segment of the play-offs.

Waterford were the top flight side and although they had managed to amass 42 points in the regular season, it would end up creating an unwanted record for the squad - the most points secured by a side relegated from the Premier Division.

That night at Inchicore it was two former Waterford players - Dara Keane and Colm Whelan - who scored the crucial goals to send College up.

Waterford a different animal in 2023

Things are a bit different this year, with the roles somewhat reversed.

The Blues were without a win in five games last year ahead of the season-defining game, but were still expected to have enough for UCD, despite firing manager Marc Bircham just a few days before the game.

Favourites again this time around, the Munster side come to Dublin having won eight of their last 10 games in all competitions. In that time they've scored 28 goals, and knocked Dundalk - who finished third in the Premier with the same points total as Derry above them - out of the Extra.ie FAI Cup.

Phoenix Patterson was the First Division's top goalscorer with 20 goals this season, and nine in his last 10 games, but Wassim Aouachria (six goals in his last seven games) and Junior Quitirna (five goals in his last six games) also come into the fixture in dangerous form.

Watching their recent performances will surely have given UCD manager Andy Myler and his assistant Willie O'Connor some uneasy nights this week. The Blues scored 70 goals in 32 First Division games,