UCD hope early training pays off

UCD manager Paul Doolin yesterday paid tribute to the students who sacrificed their regular summer activities to meet the demands of the new season by returning for training at the end of May.

UCD play Cork City at Turner's Cross tonight (7.45pm) in the National League and Doolin metaphorically doffed his cap at his youthful squad when he said: "Students usually spend the months of summer working in America to finance their time in college but these lads gave that up and gave up a holiday as well." He said, "So that shows their commitment."

Doolin provoked a marvellous response from UCD last season when he joined them as manager and they climbed from relegation trouble into a safe mid-table position. This season he suggested they might find it more difficult to get the results they need at places like Cork.