Waterford United -v- Longford Town
Credit:
Waterford United will be looking to make it three league wins on the bounce when they welcome Longford Town to The RSC on Friday. (Kick-off 7.45pm)
The Blues are decidedly buoyant following their thrilling 3-2 away win against Munster rivals Cork City at Turner's Cross last time out and will be hoping to take the confidence gained from that game into this encounter. Longford, meanwhile, have not won in their last three games and will be hoping to stop the rot when they arrive on Suirside.
The hosts have undergone significant change in the last few weeks, with Stephen Henderson's departure the result of a dismal start to the season. In his place has come a coaching triumverate led by Paul O'Brien, an assistant under Henderson who has recently been told by the club that he will remain in charge for the duration of the season.
Working with O'Brien are Billy Hearne and Alan Barry and the trio have commented numerous times over the past few on the excellent morale within the squad and their satisfaction with the player's attitudes. Speaking after their win on Leeside last week, O'Brien was eager to reinforce these claims.
"This is a very special night, unbelievable really. To come here and beat [Cork] in their own backyard shows what the lads are all about. All of the credit must go to the players, and the players alone. I could not have asked for more from those lads tonight. They were magnificent. Each and everyone of them died for the shirt. We were the best team for most of the game and we believed we could win from the opening whistle.
The players in there in that dressing room know only to well that they are much better than the league position shows. I think it hurts when they look at the table, but I honestly believe we can take this team forward to even better results. We will train on Sunday and during the week and we will be ready and waiting for Longford Town on Friday. We must do the business at home."
The only downside to that win in Cork was the potential loss of impressive new signing, Adam McSherry for this game. The recent recruit has shown excellent form since his arrival at the club and has chipped in with two league goals already. He is a serious doubt for this game with an ankle injury and the Blues may also have to plan without the services of defender David Breen who is rated as 50/50 to play, also due to an ankle problem. Other than that, O'Brien should have a full squad to choose from, with no further injury concerns nor suspension.
Longford have struggled in recent years when visiting The RSC, their last win at the ground coming in October of 2006, but they have had some good results away from home this season with wins coming away to Finn Harps and Wexford Youths. Overall, the visitors have struggled for form this season but they do find themselves above Waterford in the table. Manager Tony Cousins will be unable to call upon Graham Dowling and Keith Gillespie for this encounter, both men were sent off in Longford's last game, a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Monaghan United.
Waterford United
Injured: Adam McSherry (ankle).
Doubtful: David Breen (ankle).
Suspended: None.
Longford Town
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Graham Dowling, Keith Gillespie.
Referee: Kevin O'Regan.
Paddy Power Odds: Waterford 8/13, Draw 12/5, Longford 9/2.
Extratime prediction: 2-0 to Waterford.
The Blues are decidedly buoyant following their thrilling 3-2 away win against Munster rivals Cork City at Turner's Cross last time out and will be hoping to take the confidence gained from that game into this encounter. Longford, meanwhile, have not won in their last three games and will be hoping to stop the rot when they arrive on Suirside.
The hosts have undergone significant change in the last few weeks, with Stephen Henderson's departure the result of a dismal start to the season. In his place has come a coaching triumverate led by Paul O'Brien, an assistant under Henderson who has recently been told by the club that he will remain in charge for the duration of the season.
Working with O'Brien are Billy Hearne and Alan Barry and the trio have commented numerous times over the past few on the excellent morale within the squad and their satisfaction with the player's attitudes. Speaking after their win on Leeside last week, O'Brien was eager to reinforce these claims.
"This is a very special night, unbelievable really. To come here and beat [Cork] in their own backyard shows what the lads are all about. All of the credit must go to the players, and the players alone. I could not have asked for more from those lads tonight. They were magnificent. Each and everyone of them died for the shirt. We were the best team for most of the game and we believed we could win from the opening whistle.
The players in there in that dressing room know only to well that they are much better than the league position shows. I think it hurts when they look at the table, but I honestly believe we can take this team forward to even better results. We will train on Sunday and during the week and we will be ready and waiting for Longford Town on Friday. We must do the business at home."
The only downside to that win in Cork was the potential loss of impressive new signing, Adam McSherry for this game. The recent recruit has shown excellent form since his arrival at the club and has chipped in with two league goals already. He is a serious doubt for this game with an ankle injury and the Blues may also have to plan without the services of defender David Breen who is rated as 50/50 to play, also due to an ankle problem. Other than that, O'Brien should have a full squad to choose from, with no further injury concerns nor suspension.
Longford have struggled in recent years when visiting The RSC, their last win at the ground coming in October of 2006, but they have had some good results away from home this season with wins coming away to Finn Harps and Wexford Youths. Overall, the visitors have struggled for form this season but they do find themselves above Waterford in the table. Manager Tony Cousins will be unable to call upon Graham Dowling and Keith Gillespie for this encounter, both men were sent off in Longford's last game, a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Monaghan United.
Waterford United
Injured: Adam McSherry (ankle).
Doubtful: David Breen (ankle).
Suspended: None.
Longford Town
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Graham Dowling, Keith Gillespie.
Referee: Kevin O'Regan.
Paddy Power Odds: Waterford 8/13, Draw 12/5, Longford 9/2.
Extratime prediction: 2-0 to Waterford.
About Dean Hayes
Dean covers Waterford United and, due to a challenge from Gareth, writes in an increasingly Gonzo style. Having found himself with a considerable surplus of a culinary herb, Dean founded sister 'site extrathyme.ie some years … View Full Profile