Waterford United -v- Monaghan United

• Gordon Hunt
• Wed, May 25 2011


Waterford will be looking to push on after thrashing Athlone 3-0 last weekend, as Roddy Collins brings his Monaghan United side to the RSC.

An indifferent start to the League campaign had seen the Blues almost cut adrift from the top sides after the first series of games, but last weeekend’s performance has given Stephen Henderson’s side hope of a promotion charge. But they face a Monaghan side which has already beaten them, thanks to a late, 88th minute decider on the opening game of the season. In fact, Mons hold quite the hoodoo over Waterford, having won each of their last six encounters, with Stephen Henderson’s sole triumph that of a 6-0 whalloping in his first season in charge.

Former Waterford United player Keith Quinn has been training with Monaghan for the past week and no doubt Collins will have gleaned a few insights from him about his former team, ahead of a tie in which neither side is missing anyone through injury or indeed suspension.

"The first series of games hasn't went as well as we planned. Basically we had to put it behind us and more or less start our season today, that's what we spoke about, and that's what we tried to do,” said Henderson following the win over Athlone. “Some of our football was really impressive, but what impressed me more was our work rate, I think our workrate for the 90 minutes was magnificent. We closed them down in all areas of the pitch, then we matched that with good football, so we were thrilled.”

Waterford United
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Monaghan United
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Referee: Ciaran Fitzgerald.
Paddy Power Odds: Waterford 6/5 Draw 11/5 Monaghan 2/1.
Extratime prediction: 0-1.