Waterford United -v- Finn Harps

WATERFORD UNITED

Expectations are high in Waterford that Paul O’Brien can go one better than last year’s second placed finish - and subsequent play-off loss to Dundalk - to gain automatic promotion this season.

While there is little doubt that the Blues were one of the strongest teams in the division last year, such have been the comings and goings at the RSC over the winter, it is difficult to predict how the team will gel over the coming months.

The loss of Seanie Maguire to West Ham will leave a void that is near impossible to fill but the addition of Vinny Sullivan, Paul Quilty, Francis Rockett, Michael Coady, Paudie Quinn and Gavin Kavanagh will give O’Brien plenty of options to make up for the loss of other key players in last season’s campaign.

A good start will be imperative, and Blues fans will not thank me for reminding them of last year’s opening day six-goal hammering at the hands of local rivals Wexford Youths, but O’Brien is confident that last year’s play-off heartbreak will act as a major incentive for his side to do well.

Speaking to the club’s website he commented: "The pre-season games gave us a chance to look at various things and were very useful, and have whetted the appetite for the real thing. Our aim is a winning and entertaining team and I believe we have the players in our squad to do just that."

"We went so close last season that the hurt we all experienced at the final hurdle will act as a spur to make sure we don’t go through that again."

The manager will have to plan without Seamus Long who is suspended and Peter Keegan who has a knee injury. There is also a slight doubt about the fitness of David Breen.

FINN HARPS

Harps finished last season strongly with a ten game unbeaten run towards the end of the campaign and Peter Hutton will hope that they can show that kind of form from the beginning to improve upon the fifth place finish they achieved last year.

The Donegal side overcame a stubborn Mayo League side in the League Cup recently and were further buoyed by the fact that the four goals in the victory came from different scorers with Matt Harkin, James Doherty, Marc Brolly and Thomas McBride all finding the net.

They will need to distribute the goals more evenly through the team as last year’s thirteen goal top marksman, Kevin McHugh, is doubtful and may miss the trip to Waterford.

Speaking to the club website Hutton was eager to get the season underway, even if a 500 mile round journey to the south-east may not be the easiest way to get the season underway.

“It is going to be a difficult encounter but one the players should relish, Waterford, along with Longford Town will be most people’s title favourites given their resources and the additions they’ve made but we’ve done reasonably well down there in recent games so we should have no fear going there.  I hope the pitch is in as good a shape as last season, although I’ve since learned that may not be the case but either way, we are certainly looking forward to the game and the commencement of the season.”

Defender Ciaran Coll will also be missing from the match day squad as he is about to undergo an operation but there is better news with three long term injury absentees - Stevie O’Donnell, Hugh Carlin and Blain Curtis - all nearing a return to fitness.

Referee: Sean Grant.

MATCH STATS

Waterford have lost only two of the thirteen meetings between the sides since Finn Harps returned to the First Division for the 2009 season.

A 1-0 win in March 2011 was the last Waterford home victory over Harps. The Donegal side has taken five points home from their last three visits to the RSC.

Last season Waterford were the second highest scorers in the First Division with 46 while Finn Harps were third highest conceders with 43.

BETTING

Waterford United 5/6; Draw 9/4; Finn Harps 3/1.

PREDICTION

Waterford 2-1 Finn Harps

Waterford United

Injured: Peter Keegan.
Doubtful: David Breen.
Suspended: Seamus Long.

Finn Harps

Injured: Ciaran Coll, Stevie O’Donnell, Hugh Carlin, Blain Curtis, Gary Merritt, Gareth Breslin.
Doubtful: Kevin McHugh.
Suspended: James Doherty.