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Waterford United -v- Limerick
- Brendan White
- Fri, Sep 24 2010
A First Division crunch match takes place on Friday night in the RSC as promotion chasers Waterford United and Limerick face-off in an intriguing encounter. Kick-off 7.45pm.
The teams come into the game on the back of very different fortunes last weekend. While Waterford United were hammering Mervue United 6-1, Limerick were going down to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Munster rivals Cork City.
Waterford’s win was all the more impressive having been level at 1-1 after 11 minutes but goals from John Kearney, Kevin Murray, Timmy Purcell and a hat-trick for Willie John Kiely, now with 13 league goals, set Stephen Henderson’s men on for an emphatic win.
Limerick never recovered from three early blows against Cork City, conceding three goals in the first 13 minutes. Bobby Ryan grabbed a consolation in the final minutes but the defeat drops Limerick to fifth place, while Waterford’s win leaves them in third place, four points behind Monaghan United and Derry City.
Waterford United manager Stephen Henderson was delighted with his sides performance last weekend. “It was great to bounce back from last week’s draw [against Salthill Devon]. We have lost only twice in fourteen games and we are coming into the business end of the season now. I said he [Willie John Kiely] was a born goalscorer when we beat Derry a few backs back and he proved that fact once again here tonight.”
“He loves scoring goals for Waterford and the real loyal fans of the club appreciate that fact. Gary Dunphy and John Kearney were terrific out there tonight also. Next up is Limerick and then Monaghan, so it’s back to the training ground and focus on the task in hand against them”, Henderson said.
In the sides first encounter earlier this season, Waterford were made to work very hard for the points in a game which finished up a 2-1 win in the RSC, with the sides playing out a closely-fought scoreless draw in Jackman Park in their second meeting.
Waterford United come into the game with no suspensions or injury worries. For Limerick Sean Kelly and Timmy Kiely are doubtful. Purcell and Rogers return from suspension.
Venue: RSC
Referee: Graham Kelly
paddypower.com odds: Waterford United 5/6 Draw 9/4 Limerick 11/4
Waterford United
Doubtful: None
Injured: None
Suspended: None
Limerick
Doubtful: Sean Kelly, Timmy Kiely
Injured: None
Suspended: Jeffrey Judge
Extratime.ie Prediction: 2-1 to Waterford United. Should be a very tight game but with Waterford high on confidence after last week’s win coupled with Limerick having failed to win in their last two, Waterford should just edge it.
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.