League Preview: Waterford United -v- Cobh Ramblers

• Fran Reilly
• Fri, Apr 10 2015




WATERFORD UNITED

Looking at the First Division table, Waterford United have started the season poorly: one win and two draws from five games is unpleasant reading. However, while the old adage “the table doesn't lie” is cliché for a reason, the table as it currently stands doesn't highlight the caliber of opposition Tommy Griffin's side have been facing, nor does it reflect the quality of performance's turned in by the Blues so far in 2015.

 

Draws at home to promotion favourites Athlone Town (1-1) and Shelbourne (2-2) are not terrible results, though the draw against the Reds felt more like a defeat given that United were two goals ahead for 80 minutes of the game courtesy of Willie John Kiely and a Brian Nolan screamer. This was in contrast to the draw with Athlone on the opening day which felt like a win given that Shane Nolan's equaliser was scored in the 94^th minute.

 

Going down 2-0 to pacesetters Finn Harps was no disgrace either, while the away defeat to League of Ireland new boys Cabinteely will probably be looked upon by some as being the most disappointing result so far – despite Cabo's early showings proving that they are not the cannon fodder many expected them to be before the season started.

 

Griffin's charges come into the game against bottom of the table Cobh on the back of a 2-0 defeat to Premier Division Cork City at the RSC in the EA Sports Cup on Monday. United will be looking to convert good performances at home into a tangible three points.

 

“It’s a massive game for us without a doubt, but if we are honest we need to be taking three points from whoever we face at home,” Griffin told waterford-united.ie. “Whether it’s Shelbourne, Finn Harps or Cobh it makes no difference. When we play at home we need to be collecting all three points.

“We will give Cobh the respect they deserve on Friday. They are coming off the back of a great win last weekend against Cabinteely and will be full of confidence. They are a very good side despite how some results have gone for them. I had them watched up in Finn Harps and they stuck with Harps for the 90 minutes. We will show them the respect we show every other side but the three points are a must for us.”

 

Shane Nolan's return from suspension will boost Griffin's options, but Jack Doherty is a doubt with an ankle injury, while defender Patrick Fitzgerald is unavailable for selection.

 

COBH RAMBLERS

The return of Stephen Henderson provided the impetus for Ramblers to claim their first league victory of the season last week as a Robbie Waters goal gave them a 1-0 win over Eddie Gormley's Cabinteely at St. Coleman's Park.

 

However, the reunion of Hendo and the Rams was soon given a swift kick to the proverbials when they became the second LOI side to slip on the UCC banana skin in the EA Sports Cup during the week, trailing for the entire game before seemingly forcing the tie into extra-time – only for former Cobh defender Sean O'Mahony to deliver the knockout blow in the fourth minute of stoppage time to give the Students a historic 3-2 win.

 

Exiting the EA Sports Cup is of little importance to a Cobh side currently bottom of the table. A run of four successive defeats from their opening four games saw former boss Martin Cambridge and his assistant Shane Kavanagh resign their positions at the club, but the pair have since returned to form part of Henderson's backroom staff – and their first task must be to find a settled starting XI.

 

18 different outfield players have started at least one of Ramblers' five league games so far. Shane O'Connor, Eoghan Murphy, Brendan Frahill, Graham and Stephen McCarthy, Stephen Kenny and Robbie Waters have been virtual ever-presents, while Alan O'Flynn (four starts/one sub) has since departed the club due to work commitments.

 

Ramblers will have to plan without their pair of Darren Murphy's, with Murphy Jnr. suspended and Murphy Snr. injured. Ross McCarthy and Peter White are also out for the visitors, while David Curran is a doubt.

 

Familiarity builds fluidity and Henderson will be aiming to ignore the midweek set-back and build on the result against Cabo as he returns to Waterford United – from whom he endured an acrimonious split in 2011.

 

Referee: Michael O'Connor.

 

 

MATCH STATS

Cobh Ramblers' last win against Waterford United was on the last day of the 2013 season when a Davin O'Neill brace was enough to give Dave Hill's side a 2-1 win and deprive Griffin's men a third placed finish – and a chance of winning promotion to the Premier Division via the play-offs.

 

United have won six of the last ten league meetings between the sides, with Ramblers only winning once and the other three games ending in draws.

 

Cobh have only managed two goals from their opening five First Division games – the joint lowest return along with Cabinteely ahead of this game-week across all 20 League of Ireland clubs.

 

Waterford United quartet Robert Birdsall, Craig Burns, Anthony O'Donnell and Bobbi Donoghue all played for Cobh last season. Rambers' Kynan Rocks spent the first half of 2014 at the RSC before returning to St. Coleman's Park, while Peter White made the move to Cobh in the off-season after two seasons with United.

 

 

BETTING

Waterford 4/7; Draw 5/2; Cobh 9/2.

 

PREDICTION

Waterford United 2-0 Cobh Ramblers.

 

 

Waterford United

Injured: Patrick Fitzgerald (unavailable).
Doubtful: Jack Doherty (ankle).
Suspended: None.

 

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: Darren Murphy (85), Ross McCarthy (knee ligaments), Peter White.
Doubtful: David Curran.
Suspended: Darren A Murphy (95).