Waterford United FC -v- Sporting Fingal FC
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Sporting Fingal’s star-studded squad will be put to the test for the first time this weekend when they travel to fellow promotion hopefuls Waterford United for a mouth-watering League of Ireland First Division clash on Saturday night (kick-off 7pm).
Money talks
Fingal have invested heavily in their squad during the winter break, bringing in high-quality players such as Gary O’Neill, Eamon Zayed, Darren Quigley, Shane McFaul and Stephen Paisley, though the latter is expected to miss the trip to the RSC because of a groin injury. Sporting’s maiden season in the league ultimately ended in disappointment as, despite strengthening considerably during the July transfer window, they faded late on to finish third, one point ahead of Waterford.
‘Comprehensive’ preparations
However, Fingal manager Liam Buckley believes his side will be able to mount a sustained challenge this season as they have had more time to prepare. “I’ve been encouraged by the application shown by our squad in pre-season and, like me, the players are eager to hit the ground running,” he said. “Last season, because of the circumstances, we only had a month to assemble the squad and get them ready for the campaign whereas the planning has been more comprehensive this time around.
Wide open
“I believe the First Division will be just as competitive this season,” Buckley added. “As well as last year’s title chasers Shelbourne and Waterford United, I think UCD and Finn Harps will figure prominently while both Monaghan United and Wexford Youths have strengthened their squads and are bound to have a say in the shake-up at the top. We saw last year that plenty of points were dropped by all teams and I’ve no doubt that will be the case again.”
Raring to go
With his new-look squad likely to take time to gel, Buckley could have hoped for a slightly easier task to open the campaign with, although Fingal follow this fixture with two home outings in a row. “Games don’t come more difficult than this one,” Buckley said. “Waterford beat us on both occasions at the RSC last season and their group will be keen to make an early impression under new manager Stephen Henderson. Equally, our lads will be seeking a positive start to the campaign and, after almost two months of training and then pre-season friendlies, it’s good to get the real action underway. I can safely say we won’t be lacking in commitment and desire to push on from last season.”
Dugout debut
Opposite number Stephen Henderson, who took charge of Waterford at the end of last year following the resignation of Gareth Cronin, was at Cobh Ramblers last season and is one of 12 managers taking charge of teams for the first time this weekend. Looking at their first-choice eleven, one could imagine that Waterford might be among the favourites for the First Division title. However, Sporting’s spending power sees them with a budget four times the size of Waterford’s. As a result, it’s little wonder that Buckley's side are the bookmakers’ overwhelming odds-on favourites for top spot.
Alternative route
In fact, according to those that are apparently rarely wrong, Waterford are well down the pecking order for the title this season, with Fingal, Shelbourne, UCD and Finn Harps all priced shorter than Henderson's side. A host of First Division clubs spent their pre-season playing warm-up matches against top-flight outfits. However, Waterford only once went head-to-head with such opposition. As early as the first week of February, the Blues played Cork City at Bishopstown and came away with a deserved 1-0 win, thanks to a late David Grincell goal.
‘Fingal favourites’
While taking nothing away from their performance that day, it should be said that Cork fielded a somewhat experimental side with a number of trialists. Henderson's troops went on to record three wins in their remaining three outings, beating a Waterford Junior League selection 3-0, Mayfield United 4-1 and, last Saturday, earning a place in the semi-finals of the Munster Senior Cup by defeating Douglas Hall 2-0 at the RSC. Henderson, however, is delighted to finally get the real action underway. “We’re looking forward to it,” he said. “[Sporting Fingal] are the favourites for the title, without a shadow of a doubt. The money that they’ve had to spend on players, the players that they’ve brought in, it’s in their court, but I think that we’ll show over the course of the season that we’ll be more than a match for most.”
Cork connection
With just two recognised strikers at the club, and with one of them suspended for this game, it can be assumed that Waterford will be lining up with a five-man midfield. In truth, even if Willie John Kiely was not ruled out, there is every chance Henderson would still opt for David Grincell as the lone ranger up front. Throughout pre-season the emphasis has been on the midfield supporting in attack, with John Kearney and Kevin Waters in particular getting involved in the final third. In defence, young Declan Woodgate is expected to make the step up from the Under-20s and start at left-back. Seamus Long, a recent recruit from Douglas Hall, seems the obvious choice at right-back, while former Cobh Ramblers pair Kevin Murray and Graham Cummins should complete the back four.
Money talks
Fingal have invested heavily in their squad during the winter break, bringing in high-quality players such as Gary O’Neill, Eamon Zayed, Darren Quigley, Shane McFaul and Stephen Paisley, though the latter is expected to miss the trip to the RSC because of a groin injury. Sporting’s maiden season in the league ultimately ended in disappointment as, despite strengthening considerably during the July transfer window, they faded late on to finish third, one point ahead of Waterford.
‘Comprehensive’ preparations
However, Fingal manager Liam Buckley believes his side will be able to mount a sustained challenge this season as they have had more time to prepare. “I’ve been encouraged by the application shown by our squad in pre-season and, like me, the players are eager to hit the ground running,” he said. “Last season, because of the circumstances, we only had a month to assemble the squad and get them ready for the campaign whereas the planning has been more comprehensive this time around.
Wide open
“I believe the First Division will be just as competitive this season,” Buckley added. “As well as last year’s title chasers Shelbourne and Waterford United, I think UCD and Finn Harps will figure prominently while both Monaghan United and Wexford Youths have strengthened their squads and are bound to have a say in the shake-up at the top. We saw last year that plenty of points were dropped by all teams and I’ve no doubt that will be the case again.”
Raring to go
With his new-look squad likely to take time to gel, Buckley could have hoped for a slightly easier task to open the campaign with, although Fingal follow this fixture with two home outings in a row. “Games don’t come more difficult than this one,” Buckley said. “Waterford beat us on both occasions at the RSC last season and their group will be keen to make an early impression under new manager Stephen Henderson. Equally, our lads will be seeking a positive start to the campaign and, after almost two months of training and then pre-season friendlies, it’s good to get the real action underway. I can safely say we won’t be lacking in commitment and desire to push on from last season.”
Dugout debut
Opposite number Stephen Henderson, who took charge of Waterford at the end of last year following the resignation of Gareth Cronin, was at Cobh Ramblers last season and is one of 12 managers taking charge of teams for the first time this weekend. Looking at their first-choice eleven, one could imagine that Waterford might be among the favourites for the First Division title. However, Sporting’s spending power sees them with a budget four times the size of Waterford’s. As a result, it’s little wonder that Buckley's side are the bookmakers’ overwhelming odds-on favourites for top spot.
Alternative route
In fact, according to those that are apparently rarely wrong, Waterford are well down the pecking order for the title this season, with Fingal, Shelbourne, UCD and Finn Harps all priced shorter than Henderson's side. A host of First Division clubs spent their pre-season playing warm-up matches against top-flight outfits. However, Waterford only once went head-to-head with such opposition. As early as the first week of February, the Blues played Cork City at Bishopstown and came away with a deserved 1-0 win, thanks to a late David Grincell goal.
‘Fingal favourites’
While taking nothing away from their performance that day, it should be said that Cork fielded a somewhat experimental side with a number of trialists. Henderson's troops went on to record three wins in their remaining three outings, beating a Waterford Junior League selection 3-0, Mayfield United 4-1 and, last Saturday, earning a place in the semi-finals of the Munster Senior Cup by defeating Douglas Hall 2-0 at the RSC. Henderson, however, is delighted to finally get the real action underway. “We’re looking forward to it,” he said. “[Sporting Fingal] are the favourites for the title, without a shadow of a doubt. The money that they’ve had to spend on players, the players that they’ve brought in, it’s in their court, but I think that we’ll show over the course of the season that we’ll be more than a match for most.”
Cork connection
With just two recognised strikers at the club, and with one of them suspended for this game, it can be assumed that Waterford will be lining up with a five-man midfield. In truth, even if Willie John Kiely was not ruled out, there is every chance Henderson would still opt for David Grincell as the lone ranger up front. Throughout pre-season the emphasis has been on the midfield supporting in attack, with John Kearney and Kevin Waters in particular getting involved in the final third. In defence, young Declan Woodgate is expected to make the step up from the Under-20s and start at left-back. Seamus Long, a recent recruit from Douglas Hall, seems the obvious choice at right-back, while former Cobh Ramblers pair Kevin Murray and Graham Cummins should complete the back four.
