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Waterford United -v- Cork City Foras Co-op
- Brendan White
- Thu, May 20 2010
Waterford United welcome Cork City Foras Co-op to the RSC this Friday evening for an intriguing Munster Derby. (kick off 7.45pm)
The sides met in Turners cross earlier in the season with The Blues coming out on top on a 2-0 score line.
A good start to the season for the Blues has stifled recently with the team losing to Longford Town and Wexford Youths and only drawing 0-0 at home to Athlone Town. Waterford are currently four points behind league leaders Derry City.
Despite last weekend’s defeat to Wexford, Waterford come into the game on the back of a win after defeating Limerick 3-0 in the Munster Senior Cup on Tuesday evening.
Stephen Henderson welcomes Seamus Long back to the team following four weeks out. Captain Kevin Murray is rated doubtful and is more likely to return next week. John Hayes remains out with an ankle injury.
“That was the worst performance by a Waterford team since I came to the club", Manager Stephen Henderson said after the Wexford Youths games.
“Our attitude was all wrong from the opening whistle. We could not pass the ball five yards and we didn't win one 50-50 ball at all through the game. I will have to take a long hard look at myself because I failed to motivate my players, and that worries me.”
Cork City on the other hand gathered just two points in their first three games, but five wins from their 12 games so far leave them in fourth place; just two points off a promotion place.
City played out a 1-1 draw last weekend with Derry City but had won their previous two league games to keep up their promotion push.
Manager Tommy Dunne expects a different game tomorrow than the season’s opening meeting. "Waterford were very tough opponents when we faced them at Turner's Cross at the beginning of the season and if anything they will be even tougher tomorrow with home advantage.”
“That said, I believe we are a different proposition now to what we were at that early stage and while I anticipate a tough game, I believe we are capable of getting a positive result", Dunne concluded.
Gearóid Morrissey has returned to training but is not likely that he will risk his fitness in this game. Greg O'Halloran has also been struggling with a groin strain but may be fit to feature.
Venue: RSC, Waterford
Referee: Sean Grant
paddypower.com odds: Waterford United 10/11 Draw 9/4 Cork City 5/2
Waterford United
Doubtful: Kevin Murray
Injured: John Hayes
Suspended: None
Cork City
Doubtful: Greg O'Halloran
Injured: Gearóid Morrissey
Suspended: None
Extratime.ie Prediction: 2-1 to Waterford.
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.