League Preview: Waterford -v- Derry City

• Patrick O'Connor
• Fri, Aug 23 2024




WATERFORD

Waterford’s credentials as a top-four side will be put to the test on Friday night when they play host to title contenders Dery City. 

Their somewhat surprising elimination from the FAI Cup at the hands of First Division Athlone Town last weekend will at least allow them to double down on their goal to finish in the top four.

That goal is still well within their grasp as they currently occupy third position on the table on 40 points, the same total as Sligo Rovers and two ahead of both Shamrock Rovers and Galway Utd.

That cup defeat means they have lost four and won four of their last eight games, but they will take great confidence from the manner in which they won their last league game, away to Bohemians.

They were 2-0 down at half time in Dalymount Park but turned the game around in remarkable fashion in the second half, albeit the change in fortune was aided by an Adam McDonnell own goal in the 46^th minute.

Darragh Power and Sam Glenfield went on to score to leave it 3-2 in their favour, albeit that they had more good fortune in the 95^th minute when Dayle Rooney missed a penalty that would have levelled the tie.

In team news, Niall O’Keeffe will miss the game against Derry City due to an ankle injury while Kacper Skwierzcynski will also miss the game through illness.

Kyle White (Hamstring) and Sam Sargeant (Hand) both remain injured.

Darragh Leahy is available for selection, having had his red-card against Athlone Town last Friday overturned. 

DERRY CITY

Derry City and Shelbourne are the only two clubs remaining with aspirations to a league and cup double this season, but having now been drawn together in quarter final of the FAI Cup only one of these will still harbour that ambition after their cup meeting in mid-September.

The Foylesiders will look to continue to maintain their interest in the league title this weekend when they travel the length of the country to face Waterford.

Their form heading into the game at the RSC has been excellent, only losing twice in the last eight games, with one of those losses being the away tie against Bruno Magpies in the Europa Conference League.

They also have the best scoring record in the league, notching 41 goals in 27 games played to date, 12 more than leaders Shelbourne.

In their last league against Dundalk, they shared the points in a 1-1 draw. 

John Mountney put Dundalk ahead in the 21^st minute but Danny Mullen came off the bench to get a 64^th minute equaliser.

Manager Ruadhri Higgins spoke to Derry Now in advance of the game and said: "Waterford have been absolutely brilliant.

 "Our victories over them are gone and in the past. They've obviously developed their team over the year and gotten better. If you offer me the same again, I'll have no problem taking it.

“We're at a crucial period of the season where every game is huge. If we can pick up a number of wins between now and the end of the season, that's the plan, but we don't look past Waterford.”

Higgins added that Jordan McEneff also left the club this week, joining Irish League side Larne. 

The midfielder was City’s top scoring player in the league last year but has not played since April due to a foot injury.

In further transfer news at the Brandywell , Daithi McCallion has signed a permanent contract with Ballymena Utd in the Irish League having been on loan with the Sky Blues in the latter half of last season.

A new arrival this week was defender Andre Wisdom who played with Liverpool, Derby County, RB Salzburg and more recently Warrington Town.

Referee: Neil Doyle

MATCH STATS

Waterford’s record against the Foylesiders has been poor this season, as they lost all three games, conceded eight goals and scored no goals.

In the last fixture at the RSC, Ruadhri Higgins side won 2-0 thanks to goals from Will Patching and Pat Hoban.

In the most recent clash in early June at the Brandywell, the game was effectively over at half time with the home side 3-0 ahead, Michael Duffy, Mark Connolly and Pat Hoban their scorers.

PREDICTION

Waterford 0 - 2 Derry City

 

Waterford

Injured:  Niall O’Keeffe, Kacper Skwierzcynski, Kyle White, Sam Sargeant.

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

 

Derry City       

Injured: Daniel Kelly, Patrick McEleney

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

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