Sligo Rovers -v- Waterford United

• David Goulden
• Thu, Oct 22 2009


Waterford United travel to the Showgrounds on Friday night for the first FAI Cup Semi-final against an in-form Sligo Rovers. (Kick-off 7.35pm, live on RTE2). Paul Cook’s men will be strong favourites against a stubborn Waterford side who will travel without several key members.

The last time these two sides fought it out in an FAI Cup tie, United came away with a victory via a penalty shoot-out in 2007 at the Sligo venue. They also beat Rovers the last time the two teams played each other in the same year, in the league, at the same venue.

The North Westerners go into the game as favourites with only goalkeeper Richard Brush missing, out with a broken wrist. Sligo have winger Owen Morrison available again after a spell on the sideline. Chris Butler and Steve Feeney remain long-term absentees for the Bit ’O Red. Rovers will be quietly confident of a place in this year’s show-piece after a fine 2-1 win over Derry City at the Brandywell, and manager Paul Cook is expected to stick with the same side that contributed to the vital three points on Tuesday night.

Waterford welcome back their top scorer Graham Cummins after a two game suspension, following Tuesday night's defeat of Mervue United. Unfortunately for Stephen Henderson’s side, influential players Willie John Kiely, goalkeeper Michael Devine, and right back Alan Carey are all missing due to the accumulation of yellow cards received in the competition already. Young goalkeeper Kevin Burns is expected to take Devine’s place in goal. Winger Paul Walsh is cup tied due to his involvement with Limerick earlier this season in the same competition, and under-age international Seamus Long is a doubt, and faces a late fitness test.

Extra Time Prediction: Expect a nail biter in front of the cameras. There’s no such thing as an easy semi-final, but with three key players missing for Waterford, Sligo should shade it by the odd goal in three. 2-1 Sligo.