French Language blog WebFootballClub.fr posted an article on UCD AFC’s qualification for UEFA Europa League UCD l’exception irlandaise
English Translation:
“UCD, l’exception irlandaise by Johan Biboum
Although relegated to the second division, University College Dublin (UCD) will play for the first time in a qualifying round of Europa League. Focus on a College like no other.
Sometimes UEFA has not always played the role of bogeyman handing out sanctions. From the time good behavior often ends up being compensated. Put in place since 1995 and improved upon in 2008, the price of Fair Play brings joy every year. The Netherlands, England and the Irish dominated their competitors, that classification allowing one of their clubs, regardless of the final position become European season. Among the lucky ones, figure, University College Dublin Association Football Club Soccer otherwise called UCD.
The largest university Dublin evolved in SSE Airtricity League Premier Division before being relegated after a playoff loss against Galway FC. A status that will not prevent The Students attending the first qualifying round of the EL, because the FAI had applied to UEFA for the extraordinary application of the club licensing system in respect of the UCD, which was granted.
@UCD AFC Twitter announce UEFA Licence
With Cork City, St Patrick and Shamrock Rovers, UCD will represent the colours of Ireland on the Continental stage. Third in the Fair Play ranking, behind Dundalk and Cork, the Dublin club benefited from the fact that these two clubs are qualified respectively in the Champions League and Europa League by their position. A new adventure for this young team will have the chance to count on the vast experience of the defender, Evan McMillan. “In my career I played in 14 matches in the Europ. I’ll use this experience to help the team. The tempo of European games is slower than that of league games. Patience and concentration will be the key. It’ll be very important that Players are welded, especially defensively. ”
The coach, Collie O’Neill himself is delighted the opportunity arises, but stresses on the club website that UCD will not be there to make up the numbers. “It’s fantastic for the club and it will be a great experience for all players. Many people have already written off us, but we are not in this competition just to make up the numbers. We are seeking a good draw and give the maximum to try to move to the next round. ”
But the past shows that this team has had the opportunity on several occasions to don their gala dress in some European nights.
UCD, A Club Among The Pros
If the club officiates since March 2015 First Division (second division Irish) the University has repeatedly had the opportunity to expose their young students in the elite. The club, founded in 1895 was elected to the league in 1979. Since the 2008 season, the stadium UCD Bowl is split between Rugby and Football. In 1921, the formation of the Irish Free State a new league was created at the same time. UCD participated in the preliminary round.
However, significant changes within the club intervened in 1983. The amateur club has turned into semi-pro, and players are not part of the University were allowed to represent the colors of the first team. This is still the case today, although in practice, most players are students or former students.
[Irish Edit: The semi-pro idea lasted two years and when the Semi-Pros left, the new young Players were relegated in 1986 with a total of 8 points from 33 matches. However granted Scholarships to individual Players has continued with great success up to the present day].
Past European History
The University team has a taste for Europe. Victorious against Shamrock Rovers, the Sky Blue and Navy discovered the ancient and prestigious European Cup Winners Cup for the first time during the 1984-85 season and 1984-85. Everton FC figured names: Reid, Sheedy, Gray and Southall among others stand in the way of the Academics.
There was every indication that the Toffees home would chew these prepubescent youths. Hell No! Under approximately 9000 pairs of eyes, Students drew 0-0. Unfortunately, good result gave reason to Everton, narrowly winning in England (1-0). Anecdotally, Graeme Sharp’s and team mates were winning this competition wrapping up the title of Champion of England, at the same time. However the radiation of the English teams following the Heysel disaster, prevented Everton from competing in the European Cup.
In 1999-2000, a new episode of the short-lived history of UC Dublin. By finishing fourth in the Championship, the club qualified for the Intertoto Cup. The opponent, a Bulgarian team with a difficult name to pronounce: PFC Velbazhd Kyustendil [Edit: FK rather than PFC] with its international Ilian Stoyanov. The Bulgarians are more modest than the Everton players but are no less catchy. UCD is kept in check (3-3) to Belfield Park, before they could do no better than (0-0) in Bulgaria and to bow out because of the away goals rule.
Samir Belhout, example of the head and legs
UC Dublin proves that it’s possible, although without doubt, to be a good footballer and to have the brains. UCD AFC is noted for its highly regarded scholarship program, which gives players the chance to combine football with the opportunity to earn a College Degree. This was based on the North American model and created on 1979 on the entry of the UCD in the League of Ireland senior division. Many famous players have played for UCD over the years starting with former Ireland international Kevin Moran went through Manchester United, Gijón, Blackburn. [Edit: Scholarship details are correct but Kevin Moran left UCD for the Alumni team Pegasus and joined Man Utd. from that club aswell as the Dublin Gaelic Football team.]
Others aspire to become like Samir Belhout, licensed within the UCD AFC (University College Dublin Association Football Club). The striker with an Irish mother and an Algerian father, plays for almost 6 years at UCD, first with U20 before joining the first team.[Edit: Samir ‘Sami’ Belhout also played with the Leinster Senior League UCD side.]
Samir Belhout scores against Sligo Rovers 2014 (UCD 1-0 Sligo FT)
The child of Gaelic [Irish?] Football holds an Honours Bachelors Degree in Chemistry and studying for a Masters, also in chemistry. “I was accepted by University College Dublin, UCD which is the representative team. Responsible decision I was offered my University course to join the Club, which meant that my academic career would be supported and that in parallel, I can play with the club with the elite of the country he confided to our colleagues dzfoot. Regardless, this was for me the most practical choice at this stage of my career. When I’m training, I really need to be fully focused on that. I do not have as much time as other students to devote to school because of the workouts. I make sure to do my workouts in the morning before school, at around 7 am. The club is very accommodating with Students and is very understanding, if an important exam or a university test coincides with an away game. But generally, I adapt my time spent on training according to the time dedicated to studies”.
As stated this great adulation, two turned to three in the favor of this young band trying to qualify for the group stage of the Europa League. A feat achieved by only one Irish club Shamrock Rovers from 2011-12. Meanwhile Chris Mulhall’s team mates will have a close eye on the side of Geneva [Nyon} on 22 June.
Johan Biboum –@BibsBoom
