Waterford United -v- St. Patrick's Athletic
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First Division Waterford United will look to cause a cup upset on Friday night when Premier Division St. Patrick's Athletic visit the RSC for a FAI Ford Cup Fourth Round tie. Kick-off 7.45pm.
The Blues have little to play for in the remainder of their season when an expected promotion bid faltered early while The Saints have to put poor form of late behind them as they go in search of silverware.
The home side come into the game following defeat last weekend away to Monaghan United despite taking an early lead, but have won just one league game in their last six and lie sixth in Division 1.
St. Pat's were held to a 1-1 draw by Bohemians on Monday night and sit fourth in the Premier, but have also won just once in their last six.
Waterford United boss Paul O'Brien is looking forward to the game. "We are looking forward to playing a Premier league team at the RSC. To date this season we have played very well against the top teams in our division like Cork City and Shelbourne, and St Pat's have been one of the top teams in the Premier since the outset."
"We will give it our very best shot and hopefully a big crowd will get behind us as we try and beat Pete Mahon's fine side. We are really looking forward to the game because it will be a release from our league games which have been tough lately.''
O’Brien has difficult squad selection to make ahead of the tie with up to six first team players missing. Seamus Long (suspended) and Paul Phelan (Cup tied) both definitely miss the game, along with the injured duo of Adam McSherry (hip) and Conor Sinnott (hamstring). Michael Coady (ankle) and Willie John Kiely (knee) are both rated as 50:50 to make the game.
"It has been quite a while since the victory against Crumlin United in the last round and we are relishing this cup tie on Friday”, St. Pat’s manager Pete Mahon said ahead of the game.
"We are expecting a tough match against Waterford, whom I've seen play a couple of times already this season. They are a strong physical side who will be there or there about come in the end of the league season and with the strong local support behind them it will make for an interesting match."
"We know what the competition means to this Club and its supporters. It is now 50 years since the last (FAI Cup) success and the Club has this monkey on its back regarding the Cup, which has to come to an end at some stage."
Mahon also has personnel problems for the tie. Sean O'Connor, Shane Guthrie and John O'Connor are all cup tied and miss the game while Derek Doyle (calf), Danny North (ribs) and David McMillan (hamstring) are all doubtful.
The sides last met in the cup back in 2009 where the game ended 1-1 in the RSC before Waterford came away with a 2-0 win in Inchicore. This time around the away side should have too much for the first division side and should progress, but in cup football, anything can happen.
Waterford United
Injured:Adam McSherry (hip), Conor Sinnott (hamstring).
Doubtful: Michael Coady (ankle), Willie John Kiely (knee)
Suspended: Seamus Long.
Unavailable: Paul Phelan (cup tied)
St. Patrick's Athletic
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Derek Doyle (calf), Danny North (ribs) and David McMillan (hamstring).
Suspended: None.
Unavailable Sean O'Connor, Shane Guthrie, John O'Connor (all cup tied)
Referee:Anthony Buttimer.
Paddy Power Odds: Waterford United 3/1 Draw 9/4 St. Patrick’s Athletic 10/11.
Extratime prediction: St. Pat’s should be too strong for the home side. 3-1 to St. Pat’s.
The Blues have little to play for in the remainder of their season when an expected promotion bid faltered early while The Saints have to put poor form of late behind them as they go in search of silverware.
The home side come into the game following defeat last weekend away to Monaghan United despite taking an early lead, but have won just one league game in their last six and lie sixth in Division 1.
St. Pat's were held to a 1-1 draw by Bohemians on Monday night and sit fourth in the Premier, but have also won just once in their last six.
Waterford United boss Paul O'Brien is looking forward to the game. "We are looking forward to playing a Premier league team at the RSC. To date this season we have played very well against the top teams in our division like Cork City and Shelbourne, and St Pat's have been one of the top teams in the Premier since the outset."
"We will give it our very best shot and hopefully a big crowd will get behind us as we try and beat Pete Mahon's fine side. We are really looking forward to the game because it will be a release from our league games which have been tough lately.''
O’Brien has difficult squad selection to make ahead of the tie with up to six first team players missing. Seamus Long (suspended) and Paul Phelan (Cup tied) both definitely miss the game, along with the injured duo of Adam McSherry (hip) and Conor Sinnott (hamstring). Michael Coady (ankle) and Willie John Kiely (knee) are both rated as 50:50 to make the game.
"It has been quite a while since the victory against Crumlin United in the last round and we are relishing this cup tie on Friday”, St. Pat’s manager Pete Mahon said ahead of the game.
"We are expecting a tough match against Waterford, whom I've seen play a couple of times already this season. They are a strong physical side who will be there or there about come in the end of the league season and with the strong local support behind them it will make for an interesting match."
"We know what the competition means to this Club and its supporters. It is now 50 years since the last (FAI Cup) success and the Club has this monkey on its back regarding the Cup, which has to come to an end at some stage."
Mahon also has personnel problems for the tie. Sean O'Connor, Shane Guthrie and John O'Connor are all cup tied and miss the game while Derek Doyle (calf), Danny North (ribs) and David McMillan (hamstring) are all doubtful.
The sides last met in the cup back in 2009 where the game ended 1-1 in the RSC before Waterford came away with a 2-0 win in Inchicore. This time around the away side should have too much for the first division side and should progress, but in cup football, anything can happen.
Waterford United
Injured:Adam McSherry (hip), Conor Sinnott (hamstring).
Doubtful: Michael Coady (ankle), Willie John Kiely (knee)
Suspended: Seamus Long.
Unavailable: Paul Phelan (cup tied)
St. Patrick's Athletic
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Derek Doyle (calf), Danny North (ribs) and David McMillan (hamstring).
Suspended: None.
Unavailable Sean O'Connor, Shane Guthrie, John O'Connor (all cup tied)
Referee:Anthony Buttimer.
Paddy Power Odds: Waterford United 3/1 Draw 9/4 St. Patrick’s Athletic 10/11.
Extratime prediction: St. Pat’s should be too strong for the home side. 3-1 to St. Pat’s.
About Brendan White
Brendan White is Extratime News Editor and is responsible for the news section of Extratime.ie. Brendan also covers matches in Dublin and Waterford. You can contact Brendan on twitter @whitebrendan. View Full Profile