Waterford United -v- Mervue United

Waterford United will look to give their fans something to shout about on Friday night when Mervue United visit for their final home league game of the season at the RSC. Kick-off, 7.45pm.

The Blues have had a tough season and languish in sixth place despite being one of the pre-season favourites to challenge for promotion. They do come into the game in good form having won their last two games; a 2-0 derby win away to Wexford Youths last weekend following on from a 1-0 victory at home to Shelbourne a week earlier.

Waterford United manager Paul O’Brien is without a number of players for the game however. Defender and team captain Kevin Murray and striker Adam McSherry both remain sidelined for the rest of the season after operations while midfielder Conor Sinnott also remains absent with a persistent hamstring injury.

Defender John Hayes (groin), who lasted just 27 minutes last week, and striker Willie John Kiely (knee) are rated as the doubtful but goalkeeper Kevin Burns (hip), and defenders Paul Carey (hamstring) and Adam Heaslip (groin) are expected to shake off knocks and be available for selection.

"We played some great football, especially in the second half and we deserved the points”, O’Brien said after the win last weekend. “Wexford wanted to win the game badly and they did play some good football in the first half, but I felt we were by far the best team in the second period. The spirit in the team is very good at the moment, as we showed last week against Shelbourne.”

"When we beat Shelbourne last week I told the players that I wanted them to win our last three games against Wexford, Mervue and Limerick. We have won the first and now we want to win the last two games, something I am confident we can do. We have some fine young players at this club. Sean Maguire is a very special player. He scored tonight, but his vision and passing for such a young boy is exceptional. The young lad has everything and he can go right to the top.''

Visitors Mervue United have already amassed 12 points more this season that last and sit in eighth place in the table with nine wins from their 28 games to date in the league. They have already taken points away from the home side after a 1-1 draw earlier in the season; the other game ended in a 1-0 win for Waterford. Mervue come into the game on the following successive defeats against Limerick, Athlone Town and Monaghan United with their last win coming five weeks ago away to Wexford Youths.

John Mountney and Peter Dravins are both doubtful while Dan Cunningham (thigh) and Damien O'Rourke (achilles) are definately out. Martin Conneely (tonsilitis) and David Goldbey (suspension) return to the squad as they look to pick up more points.

Waterford United
Injured: Kevin Murray, Adam McSherry, Conor Sinnott.
Doubtful: John Hayes, Willie John Kiely, Kevin Burns, Paul Carey, Adam Heaslip.
Suspended: None.
 

Mervue United
Injured: Dan Cunningham (thigh), Damien O'Rourke (achilles) .
Doubtful: John Mountney, Peter Dravins.
Suspended: None.
 

Referee: Sean Grant.
Paddy Power Odds: Waterford United 8/15, Draw 11/4, Mervue United 9/2.
Extratime prediction: 2-0 win for the home side to put an end to a poor season.