FAI Cup Preview: Waterford -v- Shelbourne

WATERFORD

The Regional Sports Centre in Waterford will be at full capacity on Sunday afternoon when Waterford take on Shelbourne in the eagerly awaited Extra.ie FAI Cup semi-final.

There is a very high level of expectation in the south east that the Blues can overcome Shelbourne and book their place in the final which will take place in the Aviva Stadium on Sunday, 13 November.

Danny Searle’s side have been in excellent form in the league having won their last four games, scoring eleven goals and only conceding two in those four games.

Such has been their level of performance, particularly in the latter stages of the season, they have now leapfrogged Galway United into second place in the First Division table, only four points behind newly crowned champions Cork City, albeit with an extra game played.

They will have no fear of playing a Premier Division outfit in the cup semi-final as they have already dispatched two such teams to get to this stage, beating St Patrick’s Athletic 3-2 away from home and dumping Dundalk out of the competition at home with another 3-2 win.

They also easily accounted for non-league side Malahide United in the second round, winning 6-0 away from home.

Waterford have only ever won the FAI Cup on two occasions, back in 1936-37 and again in 1979-80, while they exited at the semi-final stage last season, losing out to a late Georgie Kelly goal in a 1-0 defeat away to Bohemians.

 Waterford supporters will look to their league momentum allied to their excellent cup results in the earlier rounds as a platform to go one better this season and book their place in the final against either Derry City or Treaty United.

Searle spoke to the media in advance of the game and said, “we are trying to treat his as a normal game, we are fortunate that every big game from now until the end of the season is a big game, but that said it’s a great game to be preparing for.

“We could not be in a better place, we have a full squad to pick from, it’s all systems go, there is going to be a big crowd, it’s going to be a great occasion and one hopefully that we rise to.”

Referring to the specific challenge posed by Shelbourne, Searle said, “Damian Duff has got them really organised, their work ethic is phenomenal, they have got some really talented lads.

“We go into the game as underdogs, they are the Premier Division side and will be favourites for the game, but we have shown already that when we are at our best, we are a match for anybody.”

SHELBOURNE

Seven times FAI Cup winners Shelbourne head to the RSC on Sunday looking to bridge a 22-year gap since they last won the trophy back in 2000.

They won that game 1-0, the goal being scored by Pat Fenlon, in a replay at Dalymount Park after the first game against city rivals Bohemians ended 0-0.

Shelbourne head into this semi-final safe in the knowledge that their position in the Premier Division is well secured for next season as they sit in seventh place on 36 games with four games yet to be played. They will also take great confidence from their recent performances where they have only lost once in their last five league matches, a 3-2 defeat to league leaders Shamrock Rovers last Sunday night.

They disposed of Bray Wanderers 3-0, beat non-league Bonagee United before eliminating Dublin rivals Bohemians on a 3-0 score line.

They made a tame exit from the Cup in 2021, losing 2-0 to UCD at the first hurdle, but it was probably considered a distraction last season as they focussed on getting back to the Premier Division, a feat that achieved in great style by winning the First Division with six points to spare over second placed Galway United.

Shelbourne captain Luke Byrne spoke to the media in advance of the semi-final and said, “These games don’t come around that often, there is huge pressure but you have to enjoy the occasion also. We have worked hard to get ourselves into this position, we are preparing well, we can’t wait really.

“We are treating Waterford with the utmost respect but we know we have to focus on ourselves, turn up, do our jobs individually and collectively and hopefully get to that cup final.

“As captain of the team it’s a huge honour for me to lead out the team on Sunday, but that won’t satisfy me, I want to get to the cup final and lead the team out there.”

Referee: Rob Hennessy

BETTING

Waterford 2/1; Draw  23/10; Shelbourne 11/10

PREDICTION

Waterford 2-1 Shelbourne

Waterford:

Injured: None

Doubtful: Eddie Nolan, Brian Murphy

Suspended: Wassim Aouachria

Shelbourne:

Injured: Jack Moylan, Conor Kane

Doubtful: Shane Farrell, Jad Hakiki.

Suspended: None