Waterford United -v- Mervue United

• Brendan White
• Mon, Sep 03 2012




Waterford United and Mervue United meet this Monday night in the RSC with an FAI Ford Cup quarter-final place on offer. Twice postponed, the tie should finally take place with no sign of rain forecast for the day.

 

WATERFORD UNITED

Paul O’Brien’s Waterford United come into this tie on the back of a superb 1-0 win away to First Division league leaders Limerick on Friday night.

 

David Breen’s single goal late in the game secured their fourth win over Limerick this season and get the Blues back to winning ways ahead of this cup tie.

 

League form has dipped of late with no win in their last three home games; a defeat to Wexford Youths, scoreless draw against Athlone Town and a 1-1 draw against Finn Harps. Friday’s win should instil confidence in the Blues for Monday’s match.

 

Gary Dunphy and Daragh Walshe continue to miss out long term. Seamus Long and Willie John Kiely both return from suspension and may both come straight into the team. Paul Phelan and Craig Burns were both not fit enough for Friday’s match but may recover in time. Stephen Mulcahy and John Frost both were substituted on Friday with injuries and may need more treatment.

 

Sean Maguire will also miss the game as he links up with Paul Doolin’s Republic of Ireland Under-19 team for a training camp and friendly match in Latvia this week.

 

MERVUE UNITED

Mervue United haven’t won in their last four games and may look to make a good cup run after poor league form.

 

Last weekend they did pick up a good point in a 1-1 draw at home to Finn Harps, with Cian McBrien getting the goal to equalise for the home side. That point leaves Mervue second from bottom in the league table, two points ahead of Galway rivals SD Galway.

Mervue progressed to the Third Round after a 2-0 win against local rivals SD Galway.

 

Injuries continue to keep Martin Conneely (ankle ligaments), Kenny Farrell (ankle) and midfielder Alan Murphy (ankle) on the sidelines.  Mike Elwood and Cian McBrien do not travel due to work. Shane Keogh returns having missed Friday's 1-1 draw with Finn Harps.

 

Referee: Kevin O’Regan

 

 

MATCH STATS

This is the third attempt for this cup game to be played with both previous attempts being postponed due to heavy rain making the RSC pitch unplayable.

Mervue United have lost twice this season to Waterford United already this season with the third match ending in a scoreless draw.

 

BETTING

Waterford United 3/10; Draw 7/2; Mervue United 9/1

 

PREDICTION

Waterford United 2-0 Mervue United