🗞️ Match Preview – UCD AFC vs Dundalk FC

Photo By Gerry Scully

📅 Date: Friday, August 1, 2025

⏰ Kick-off: 7.45PM

📍 Venue: UCD Bowl

Dundalk FC travel to the UCD Bowl this Friday night for Matchday 25 of the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division as they look to stretch their lead at the summit.

The Lilywhites come into the game on the back of a thrilling 3-2 win over Wexford at Oriel Park, a result that saw them return to winning ways and extend their advantage at the top of the table to six points over second-placed Cobh Ramblers.

📈 UCD’s Form

UCD are in strong form and very much in the hunt for a promotion playoff place. The Students are unbeaten in their last five league matches, recording four wins and one draw to sit 4th in the table, two points ahead of Treaty United in 5th and nine ahead of Wexford in 6th.

Their most recent outing was an emphatic 3-0 victory away to Kerry, a result that underlined their attacking threat and consistency in recent weeks.

Photo By Gerry Scully

⚔️ Previous Meetings

This is the third meeting between the sides this season. When they last met in June, the points were shared at Oriel Park in a 1-1 draw, with Harry Groome scoring for Dundalk and Adam Verdon replying for UCD.

Photo By Gerry Scully

Back in April, the Lilywhites edged a narrow 1-0 win in Belfield thanks to a first-half strike from Leo Gaxha in a gritty away performance.

🗣️ Kilduff’s Thoughts

Head coach Ciarán Kilduff is expecting a big challenge against a confident UCD outfit:

“UCD are a very confident team right now. They’ve won four of their last five and showed their quality again last week in Kerry. When we played them at Oriel earlier in the season, we saw how organized and dangerous they can be. We’ll need to match their energy and play to our strengths.”

On the current stage of the season:

“We’re in a good position, but nothing’s done yet. Every point is vital, and we’re going to need strong performances between now and the end of the season. Friday’s another big challenge, but one we’re ready for.”

📋 Team News

Dundalk remain without Leo Gaxha, Ethen Vaughan, and Seán McHale through injury. Mayowa will undergo a late fitness test, as will Norman Garbett, who is also a doubt. There is positive news, however, as new signing Rohan Vaughan is available for selection after making his debut off the bench last Friday.

📌 Fixture Details

🏆 SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division – Matchday 25

⚽ UCD AFC vs Dundalk FC

📍 UCD Bowl

📅 Friday, August 1, 2025

⏰ 7.45PM kick-off

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

 Bring the noise and back the boys in the capital as they look to take another big step towards promotion.