EA Sports Cup Preview: Waterford United -v- Rockmount

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Mon, Mar 28 2016




The last of the First Round EA Sports Cup games takes place today, Easter Monday, at the RSC in Waterford with a kick-off penciled in for 2pm.

 

WATERFORD UNITED

The Blues had a poor start to the season but have bounced back well over the past two games as they secured an impressive 3-1 away win over UCD followed by their 2-0 away victory over Cabinteely this past Friday night.

 

That victory over Cabo came at a cost however, as David O’Leary, Anthony McAlavey and James O’Brien all picked up knocks on the bruising Stradbrook pitch meaning they will rest up in the hope that they can return on Friday, when Cobh Ramblers visit in a League encounter.

 

"We are down to the bare bones for this EA Sports League Cup game on Monday but we'll do our best to put the strongest team we have at our disposal on the field. We picked up a couple of injuries in the game against Cabinteely on Friday night. 



"Anthony McAlavey, David O'Leary and James O'Brien picked up knocks so I won't be risking them ahead of our next league game against Cobh Ramblers. I have pleased with our second half performance against Cabinteely in what was a real battle.

 

 “You don’t expect to win in any ground but on the worst surface that I have ever, ever, ever, ever seen in a League of Ireland ground and obviously with the wind contributing to the game, it was always going to be a battle,” said manager Roddy Collins.

 

Collins went onto express how proud he was of his own side’s supporters, who made the trip up to Dublin on Friday night.

 

“I have to say that our supporters were brilliant again and I’m so proud of them. It’s not easy when you have a minute’s silence and there are young fans involved but the respect that these fans showed may be really proud of them representing our club. I'm expecting them to get behind us against Rockmount."

 

 

ROCKMOUNT

Rockmount play their football in the Munster Senior League and are expected to be no push over on Monday as they have caused numerous cup upsets in their previous meetings with the Blues.

 

Rockmount knocked out Cork City in the Munster Senior Cup earlier this year as the game ended 1-1 after normal time and extra-time had concluded before John Caulfield’s men were dispatched in the dreaded penalty shoot-out with Greg Bolger and Kevin O’Connor missing from the spot for City.

 

Referee: Patrick O’Connor

 

 

MATCH FACTS

Cork City await the winners of this tie in the next round.

 

Phillip Gorman and James O’Brien are Waterford United’s top goalscorers this season in the First Division with two goals to their names.

 

Waterford have played eight games so far this season (including pre-season friendlies) and have conceded 26 goals in those outings – although admittedly seven of them came against Cork City and eight against Dundalk.

 

 

BETTING

Waterford United 2/9; Draw 5/1; Rockmount 6/1.

 

PREDICTION

Waterford United 2-1 Rockmount (AET)

 

 

Waterford United

Injured: David O’Leary, Anthony McAlavey, James O’Brien

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Unavailable: Phillip Gorman, Yoann Fellraith (registration issues), Roddy Collins Jnr. (registration issues), Sean Byrne.

 

Rockmount

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.