Preview: Waterford Utd vs Kildare County

• Paul Mehigan
• Fri, Apr 18 2008




Waterford United hope to get their promotion push back on track on Friday evening when they welcome Kildare County to the RSC. Last week’s defeat at league leaders Dundalk was The Blues’ first reverse of the league season and manager Gareth Cronin is counting on garnering three points against the Leinster side.

Waterford will have to plan without the services of Dave Warren who continues to receive treatment on a knee injury sustained in the win over Limerick 37 a fortnight ago. The sight of David Breen limping off in Dundalk was an unwelcome one for Cronin and the centre-back is rated at only 50/50 to start on Friday. However, a ready made replacement, in the shape of John Hayes, will step into the breach if Breen doesn’t recover.

The good news for the home side is that Paul McCarthy should feature after missing the Dundalk clash with concussion while Karl Bermingham returns from suspension and is expected to claim a spot on the right hand side of midfield. Stephen Quigley also returns and will reclaim the right back spot for this clash.

Hopes are high on Suirside of taking a maximum haul from this game. Speaking to the club’s official site this week Gareth Cronin said: “We’ll go and beat Kildare and then go to Tolka Park the week after. It is early days yet and there is plenty to play for.” He also expressed disappointment with last week’s defeat in Dundalk but found some bright spots amongst the concession of ground in the promotion race. “I was delighted with the young lads especially the likes of Joe Mulcahy and Gary Dunphy. They battled hard and just got picked off by more experienced players.” Both should at least make the bench for Friday’s encounter.

Kildare County head to the South East as the First Division’s basement side and are without a win to their name this season. Their major problem has been shyness in front of goal. To date they have found the net only three times in five games. John Ryan will be hoping that the improvement begins at the RSC.

The game kicks off at 7:45pm.