League Preview: Waterford -v- Kerry

Blues boss Keith Long

Blues boss Keith Long Credit: Liam Coughlan (ETPhotos)

WATERFORD FC

The Blues will be hoping to make it three wins on the bounce with a victory in their upcoming fixture against bottom side Kerry FC at the RSC on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

It will be Keith Long’s third game in charge, with his team currently sitting ten points behind league leaders Galway United.

After a turbulent start to the season, Long’s appointment has so far proved welcome, with wins against Finn Harps and Cobh Ramblers in his first two games in the dugout.

Speaking ahead of this week’s fixture, Long said: “The players have been very receptive to what we have asked them to do so far and have worked extremely hard on the training ground to try to improve performance.

“We have had a good start but we are very much a work in progress. I believe there is growth in this group and hopefully we can continue to improve in the weeks and months ahead.”

Three Blues players were named in the First Division Team of the Week following last Friday’s 3-1 win away to Cobh in the Munster derby; Ryan Burke, Ronan Coughlan and Shane Griffin.

Midfielder Roland Idowu is also in good form, scoring three goals in his last two games, and will be a huge threat to The Kingdom on Friday.

In team news, Matthew Connor has returned to light training following injury but will miss this tie, with Darragh Power chasing fitness following his return to training during the week.

KERRY FC



The Kingdom may not be favourites going into this fixture, however they can be confident following last week’s impressive draw at home to Finn Harps.

The team are still searching for their first three points of the campaign, but the league newcomers showed high energy and quality against the Donegal side in the 1-1 draw at Mounthawk Park.

Sean McGrath snatched their only goal to take the lead in the first-half, earning a place in the league’s Team of the Week as a result.

Manager Billy Dennehy praised the positive attitude and drive within the group after the result.

“We had a few players back for Friday night that we weren’t expecting to have back,” he told the club’s media team.

“We’re getting to the stage now where we’re starting to see a lot of players in the group having more of an impact. With the change of team on Friday night and with more involved, the players on the fringes are pushing all the time.”



Referee: Chris Sheehan

 

BETTING

Waterford 1/18; draw 8/1; Kerry 30/1

PREDICTION

Waterford FC 4-0 Kerry FC

 

Waterford FC

Injured: Matthew Connor

Doubtful: Darragh Power

Suspended: None

 

Kerry FC

Injured: N/A

Doubtful: N/A

Suspended: None

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