Sporting Fingal -v- Waterford United
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It’s third against second at Morton Stadium on Friday night as Sporting Fingal host Waterford United. A win for Liam Buckley’s men will see them leap frog their opponents into second place but it won’t be easy, the Blues haven’t been beaten on their travels so far this season.
The hosts are suffering from a series of injuries to key players ahead of the game. Last season’s player of the year and top scorer Robbie Doyle is out with a knee injury while four of Fingal’s summer signings are all on the treatment table. Shaun Maher (foot), Stephen Paisley (ankle), Gary O’Neill (groin) and Daniel Corcoran (hamstring) are all unavailable for selection.
Philip Byrne is struggling to overcome a calf problem but he may have a chance of recovering. One man who definitely will not feature is Robert Bayly due to suspension. There is some good news for Liam Buckley however with the return of top scorer Eamon Zayed from his head injury. The striker has found the back of the net six times already in the league but faces a tough task if he is to add to that tally, Waterford’s defence has conceded the fewest goals in the league.
The Blues go into the game in high spirits after a two great results. A very good away point against leaders UCD last Friday was followed up by a fantastic win in the EA Cup against Shamrock Rovers. Stephen Henderson will give late fitness tests to Paul McCarthy and Kevin Waters after both players picked up knocks in the win over Rovers. Declan Woodgate returns for the Deise as they look for a win that would see them open up a five point gap on the opposition.
Fingal manager Liam Buckley says that home advantage could be decisive. “I’m a believer that the league table doesn’t lie, so this game is an opportunity for us to start challenging the front two. We’re at home, which is always important in such a potentially close game, and we’re coming into this on the back of a good league win against Athlone last Friday”.
Stephen Henderson is expecting his side to build on their recent run of good results. “We are happy enough with the point against UCD which keeps us right up there, especially as we have another huge game against Sporting Fingal. The game is a massive one, but the players are on a high now and really up for the challenge.”
The hosts are suffering from a series of injuries to key players ahead of the game. Last season’s player of the year and top scorer Robbie Doyle is out with a knee injury while four of Fingal’s summer signings are all on the treatment table. Shaun Maher (foot), Stephen Paisley (ankle), Gary O’Neill (groin) and Daniel Corcoran (hamstring) are all unavailable for selection.
Philip Byrne is struggling to overcome a calf problem but he may have a chance of recovering. One man who definitely will not feature is Robert Bayly due to suspension. There is some good news for Liam Buckley however with the return of top scorer Eamon Zayed from his head injury. The striker has found the back of the net six times already in the league but faces a tough task if he is to add to that tally, Waterford’s defence has conceded the fewest goals in the league.
The Blues go into the game in high spirits after a two great results. A very good away point against leaders UCD last Friday was followed up by a fantastic win in the EA Cup against Shamrock Rovers. Stephen Henderson will give late fitness tests to Paul McCarthy and Kevin Waters after both players picked up knocks in the win over Rovers. Declan Woodgate returns for the Deise as they look for a win that would see them open up a five point gap on the opposition.
Fingal manager Liam Buckley says that home advantage could be decisive. “I’m a believer that the league table doesn’t lie, so this game is an opportunity for us to start challenging the front two. We’re at home, which is always important in such a potentially close game, and we’re coming into this on the back of a good league win against Athlone last Friday”.
Stephen Henderson is expecting his side to build on their recent run of good results. “We are happy enough with the point against UCD which keeps us right up there, especially as we have another huge game against Sporting Fingal. The game is a massive one, but the players are on a high now and really up for the challenge.”
