Waterford United -v- Limerick

• Andrew Cunneen
• Fri, Aug 05 2011


The RSC will host a Munster derby on Friday night as Limerick travel to take on Waterford United. Pat Scully’s men will look to make up ground on Cork and Monaghan while United will look to pride for their motivation. (Kickoff 7.45 pm)

Waterford United have had somewhat of a traumatic year thus far. In what looked like the strongest squad list at the start of the year, United’s squad has been somewhat depleted and even their manager has changed throughout the course of the year. While the rest of this season may seem but academic to Waterford, a Munster derby will always have passion and they will be all out to win this encounter.

Waterford’s last game in the league came in the form of a one-all draw with Mervue United. Despite being dominated throughout, the Blues came away with the point after Seamus Long saw red with fifteen minutes to go. Their last home encounter was one they would rather not be reminded of; a one nil loss to Noel O’Connor’s Wexford Youths.

Limerick travel to the south-east on the back of a crushing defeat at home to fellow promotion hopefuls Monaghan United. Limerick went down two-nil thanks to goals from John Reilly and David Byrne on the night. Pat Scully will be hoping that their poor performance will elicit a response from his team ahead of an almighty clash in Waterford.

Both sides are missing key players for various reasons, Jeffrey Judge, Joe Gamble, Seamus Long and Kenny Browne are all missing through suspension while Garry Sheahan, Brian O’Callaghan, Shaun Maher, Dave O’Leary, Stephen O’Flynn, Shane Tracy, Michael Coady, Willie John Kiely and Paul Murphy all look set to miss this encounter through injury. While a lot of key players are missing, still expect fireworks come Friday evening.

These sides have met twice already this season; once in the league and once in the EA Sports Cup. Limerick won both ties by a single goal to nil in Jackman Park.

Waterford United:
Injured: Michael Coady, Willie John Kiely.
Doubtful: Paul Murphy, Paul Whelan.
Suspended: Seamus Long, Kenny Browne.

Limerick FC:
Injured: Garry Sheahan, Stephen O’Flynn, Brian O’Callaghan, David O’Leary.
Doubtful: Shaun Maher, Shane Tracy.
Suspended: Joe Gamble, Jeffrey Judge.

Referee: Keith Callanan.

Paddy Power Odds: Waterford 13/8 Draw 11/5 Limerick 6/4.

Extratime prediction: Waterford 1-2 Limerick.