FAI Cup Preview: Waterford -v- Athlone Town
- Andrew Dempsey
- Fri, Aug 16 2024
WATERFORD
Waterford host Athlone Town in the last-16 of the FAI Cup on Friday looking to seal their place in the last-eight (kick-off at the RSC is at 7.45pm).
Keith Long’s Blues reached this stage of the competition by virtue of a narrow win over Cockhill Celtic in the last round.
And they also come into the game off the back of a stunning 3-2 fightback win over Bohemians last weekend at Dalymount Park.
But they remain without injured duo Kyle White and Sam Sargeant.
“The FAI Cup is a great competition. It’s one that we want to try and do well in,” Long told his club’s media team. “We’ve got Athlone Town at home in it this week, a side who have provided us with stiff opposition last year in the First Division.
“They still have a lot of players that would have played against us and others that have plenty of League of Ireland experience.
“We’ve done our work as best we can for the challenge ahead. We’re looking forward to it.”
ATHLONE TOWN
First Division promotion hopefuls Athlone Town will have their eyes on an FAI Cup scalp away to Waterford on Friday evening.
The Co Westmeath are second in the First Division and are all but assured of a play-off place for the second year in a row.
But they come into Friday’s encounter under a bit of a cloud having coughed up a 2-0 lead on Monday to lose 3-2 at home to Wexford.
They remain 15 points behind Cork City in the First Division as a result.
Goalkeeper Enda Minogue is expected to remain out for Athlone, with Lee Axworthy or Jack Harrington set to start instead.
Referee: David Dunne.
PREDICTION
Waterford 2-1 Athlone Town
Waterford
Injured: Sam Sargeant, Kyle White.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Athlone Town
Injured: Enda Minogue.
Doubtful: N/A.
Suspended: N/A.
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