League Preview: Waterford -v- Cork City

• Dylan O'Connell
• Fri, Apr 06 2018




WATERFORD

A second derby date in a week awaits the Blues as they lock horns with old foes Cork City at the RSC (kick off 7:45pm).

Following last week's 2-0 victory over Limerick at the Market's Field, the Blues will want to push for the top and take the three points in tonight’s derby date.

Speaking before the of Cork on Friday night, Cork City-turned-Blues defender Kenny Browne made no queries on the pressures of tonight’s game

“It’s a big occasion for us on Friday against Cork. If we win we can go top of the table and that’s the way that we are looking at it.

Reflecting on the history between the sides; from the Munster Senior Cup to the League, Browne took positives despite two losses against the Double Champions.

“We have played them already so we know what they are about. They are a top side and they along with Dundalk are probably the best team in the country.

“But, look, we don’t fear anybody. We think that we are playing well and I think that we can beat anybody on our day.

Looking upon his sides election start to the season, Browne heaped praise upon his side who have yet to taste defeat at the RSC this season,

“I think that we are a different team now to the one that lost to Cork earlier in the season. We seemed to have got our injured players back and so it’s good at the moment with a healthy competition for places.

Waterford will be strengthened by the return of Dean O’Halloran and Rory Feely while Gavan Holohan is rated as highly doubtful.

the Blues will also be without right back John Kavanagh who is unavailable due to his loan from Cork City.

 

CORK CITY

The Double Champions will be bidding to push five points clear of their title Rivals at the RSC this evening.

Fresh from a 4-0 rout of Bray, a win tonight will further keep the Rebel Army on top as they bid to keep their one point advantage over chasers Dundalk.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s game; Cork City boss John Caulfield was careful building on Friday.

“Waterford have done really well,” he said. “Their home form is really good and they have been scoring goals.

“They can play but they can mix it too and be quite physical, so they have a bit of everything really. It will be blustery down there because it is so open, and I expect it will be a right battle.”

Caulfield expects to walk out into a cauldron of noise in the RSC with tickets gold dust both sides of the Cork/Waterford border.

“It will be a cracking atmosphere and a real battle. They are at home and it will be a full house, and they will see that a win will put them top of the table, so there are a lot of incentives for them.

“I would imagine it will be a more open game (than the one at Turner’s Cross in February), as the home team I think they will come out.”

Heading into tonight’s game Cork City have no suspensions and are without the injured Johnny Dunleavy.

 

Referee: Robert Rogers.

 

MATCH STATS

Tonight’s clash will mark the third meeting of the Munster rivals, with Cork City and Waterford already having met in the league and Munster Senior Cup this season.

In all, the Leesiders hold the 100% record following an emphatic 3-0 won against the Blues in the cup, before a 2-0 home win in Turners across last February sealed the bragging rights once more.

A scheduled clash in the EA Sports Cup was postponed last Monday, which now set at the 29th of April, will further push the rivalries once more.

 

BETTING

Waterford 13/5 Draw 11/5 Cork City evens.

 

Waterford

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Gavan Holohan.

Suspended: None.

 

Cork City

Injured: Johnny Dunleavy.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.