Hot shot Colm Whelan is expected to make his debut for UCD in the competition, Whelan who began his studies at Belfield in September has come off the back of a tremendous season for Waterford FC in the SSE Airtricity National Under 19 League where he finished as the league’s overall top scorer with 27 goals as the ‘Blues’ claimed their first ever title at this level and a place in next season’s UEFA Youth League.
UCD will be among the fancied sides to do well in this years competition and their squad will include Jack Keaney and Liam Kerrigan who both arrived at Belfield during the summer from Sligo Rovers to bolster their SSE Airtricity Premier Division squad plus Finn Harps defender Michael Gallagher and Kerry League's Joe Carmody with the bulk coming from the UCD under 19 squad.
Holders University of Limerick who defeated UCC in last season’s decider at UCD Belfield are among eight university sides taking part and although they will have to field a completely new line up the holders will again be ranked as one of the favourites to do well. Ciaran O’Reilly the new head coach of the UL freshers is a local and a recent graduate of the football degree course at IT Carlow.
O'Reilly was part of the Carlow side that claimed the Colleges and Universities Premier League title last season and he's delighted to get the chance to work with this group. “Ian Sullivan, the UL first team manager has been impressed and recently he has already included two of the freshers defender Tom Carney and midfielder Olu Solake in his squad for CUFL Premier League games. The training sessions have been good and I’m pleased with the response and we did well in a couple of friendlies with local clubs so I’m looking forward now to taking on Maynooth University in our opening quarter final tie on Monday.”
Kevin Cassidy the NUI Galway manager feels it's a bonus to have Galway United U19 players Caylem Crowe, Caoilfhinn O’Dea and Joe Thompson in his squad to face last season’s defeat finalists UCC in Monday’s quarter-final. “These lads had a great season with Galway in the SSE Airtricity U19 League and only lost out to Waterford in the final so their experience will be a great help.”
Queens University Belfast will be making a welcome return to the Harding Cup after an absence of several years and as the host University they will be expected to field a strong side with great expectations of a home win.
FIXTURES (All games at Queens University Dub Sports Grounds Belfast)
MONDAY NOVEMBER 18
IUFU Rustlers Harding Cup: Quarter Finals
Maynooth University v University of Limerick (11:00)
UCC v NUI Galway (11:00)
DCU v UCD (14:00)
Trinity College Dublin v Queens University Belfast (14:00)
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 19
IUFU Rustlers Harding Cup: Semi Finals
Winner-UCC/NUI Galway v Winner-DCU/UCD (14:00)
Winner-Trinity College Dublin/Queens University Belfast v Winner-Maynooth University/University of Limerick (14:00)
IUFU Rustlers Spillane Cup: Semi Finals
Loser-UCC/NUI Galway v Loser-DCU/UCD (11:00)
Loser-Trinity College Dublin/Queens University Belfast v Loser-Maynooth University/University of Limerick (11:00).
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 20
IUFU Rustlers Harding Cup: Final
Queens University Dub Sports Grounds Belfast (13:30)
IUFU Rustlers Spillane Cup: Final
Queens University Dub Sports Grounds Belfast (11:00)