League Preview: Waterford -v- Limerick

• Dave Donnelly
• Fri, May 18 2018




WATERFORD

The Blues welcome the Limerick to the RSC, for the first time since a 5-1 reverse in July 2016 (kick-off 7.45pm).

Plenty has changed since and Alan Reynolds' charges are firm favourites ahead of the tie.

Having let a one goal margin slip in both Tallaght and Bray this past week, the impressive Suirsiders will be hoping to make it eight wins from nine home outings.

Waterford won 2-0 when they visited Limerick in March, thanks to goals from Courtney Duffus and Paul Keegan.

Despite the win, Limerick did cause them issues, and Reynolds will be wary of a side fighting for their Premier Division lives.

“Limerick will prove another challenge for us,” he told the club's website.

We’ve beaten them once already away from home but they’ll come here looking for a win and we have to be ready for that.”

“They’ve only narrowly lost their last two games and have been improving – so we’re aware of that and will be ready to go.

"Our home form has been excellent and we know how important the fans will be again for that on Friday.”

“We played well (against Bray) and probably had enough chances in the second half to win but we’ve trained well since and we’re raring to go.”

John Kavanagh and Garry Comerford will miss out once more, while 31-year-old defender Kenny Browne may miss out due to a persistent hip issue.

 

LIMERICK

It has been a frustrating three weeks for Tommy Barrett’s side. After a good victory in Bray his side have lost home games either side of a narrow defeat in Cork.

Off-field issues have followed the club all season and a sparsely underpopulated Markets Field witnessed another blank last weekend, as the Blues eventually fell to a 1-0 defeat to St. Patrick’s Athletic.

Eight goals in 18 outings this season have made for grim viewing, though eight of their 13 points have come on the road.

Captain Shane Duggan misses out through suspension, having accumulated five yellow cards.

Positive news arrived last week, when Daniel Kearns returned to the action following a quad issue, though Darren Dennehy remains side-lined.
 

Referee: Graham Kelly

 

MATCH STATS

Waterford have not lost a home league game since going down to an 8-1 defeat against UCD in 2016.

Paul Keegan, Shane Duggan and Brendan Clarke are the only players involved with either side to have featured in all 17 of their sides Premier Division games, though Duggan misses this clash through suspension.

These sides haven’t drawn a league fixture since a 0-0 draw in Jackman Park in July 2010.

Limerick have won seven games, while Waterford have succeeded six times during that spell.

 

BETTING

Waterford 2/5; Draw 16/5; Limerick 8/1.

PREDICTION

Waterford 2-1 Limerick

 

Waterford

Injured: John Kavanagh (knee), Garry Comerford (foot).

Doubtful: Kenny Browne (hip).

Suspended: None..

 

Limerick

Injured: Darren Dennehy.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Shane Duggan.