Waterford United take on Limerick FC at the RSC on Saturday night (KO 7.00pm) hoping to get back to firing on all cylinders once again, in what is their second to last home match before a run of four games on the road.

Wins over Athlone and Longford seemed to have got the Blues back on track after a mid-season blip, but the rain-postponed game at home to Finn Harps, and last Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Monaghan United, have somewhat stalled their title challenge once more, and they go into Saturday’s match determined to get back to winning ways. Key to that is United’s top-scoring strikers maintaining their form in front of goal, form that was missing last weekend, when it was midfielder Dave Warren and full back Alan Carey that came closest to snatching the vital opening goal for the Blues.

Last season Waterford overturned Limerick (then Limerick 37) on three successive occasions, racking up three goals each time, before being mauled 5-1 at Jackman Park in a match that heralded the beginning of the end of their title challenge. But it is two very different sides that line up this year. United have already recorded a 2-0 away victory in this campaign, and will be confident of having enough to continue that form at the RSC, but manager Stephen Henderson knows that his side will need to raise their game considerably from the display in the opening half at Monaghan on Sunday. Determination and belief will have to be on show in spades from the home team if they are to get the three points they need to keep the pressure on the league leaders.

There is no doubt, however, that the relative attacking strengths of the two teams has been altered by talented winger Paul Walsh’s recent move from Shannon- to Suirside, and the Waterford native is in line to face his old club on Saturday. Indeed Henderson has a full panel to select from for the match, with no injuries of note, and no suspensions in operation. John Kearney returns from a one-match ban served last weekend for reaching four penalty points.

Henderson Quotes:
“The lads were very disappointed after the game because this match was going to be won in the first half, but unfortunately we never turned up and produced possibly our worst 45 minutes this season.”
“[Monaghan were] content to play with 10 men behind the ball, which is something we expected they would do.”
“The second half was much better, but panic set in at key times and opportunities were missed.”
“Seven points is very catchable in the First Division. Yes, dropping two away points annoyed us, but by no means are we out of this title race, not by a long shot.”
“As a group we have to focus on each match … we have to show determination and bottle in all our games, starting [with Limerick].”
“We have to believe in our own ability to be successful which only comes with hard work, and having belief when opportunities present themselves to us.”

Suspensions:
none

Injury Update:
none

League Top Scorers:
11 -   Willie John Kiely
         Graham Cummins
2 -     Gary Dunphy
         Kenny Browne
1 -     Paul McCarthy
         Joe Mulcahy
         Kevin Waters
         Kevin Murray

Top Scorers (All Competitive):
15 -   Willie John Kiely (2 FAI Ford Cup, 2 EA Sports Cup)
14 -   Graham Cummins (2 FAI Ford Cup, 1 EA Sports Cup)
4 -     David Grincell (1 FAI Ford Cup, 3 MSC)
3 -     Gary Dunphy (1 MSC)
         Joe Mulcahy (1 FAI Ford Cup, 1 MSC)
2 -     Kenny Browne
         Kevin Waters (1 EA Sports Cup)
         John Kearney (1 MSC, 1 EA Sports Cup)
1 -     Paul McCarthy
         Kevin Murray

Form:
League: DWLWW WWWWW DWLLW WD
All: WDWLW WWWWW WWWDW WLWLW WWDLD

Last Match:    Monaghan United 0  -  Waterford United 0

Previous Meetings:
24 Apr 09      L         Limerick   v   Waterford United           0 – 2
17 Oct 08     L         Limerick 37   v   Waterford United       5 – 1
08 Aug 08     L        Waterford United   v   Limerick 37        3 – 1
30 May 08    L         Limerick 37   v   Waterford United       0 – 3
04 Apr 08     L         Waterford United   v   Limerick 37       3 – 1
30 May 05    LC       Limerick FC   v   Waterford United       2 – 2 (1-4 pens)
26 Jan 03     L         Waterford United   v   Limerick FC       1 – 0
10 Nov 02    L         Limerick FC   v   Waterford United       1 – 3

Results This Season:
19 Jul 09            a            Monaghan United (LOIFD)      0-0       D
17 Jul 09            h            Ipswich Town (Friendly)        0-3       L
11 Jul 09            h            Finn Harps (LOIFD)               p-p       postponed
05 Jul 09            a            Longford Town (LOIFD)         3-1       W
19 Jun 09           h            Athlone Town (LOIFD)           2-1       W
13 Jun 09           h            Carrigaline United (FAIFC)      6-0       W  
05 Jun 09           a            Shelbourne (LOIFD)               0-1       L
02 Jun 09           n            Rockmount (MSC)                 2-1      W
30 May 09          h            Wexford Youths (LOIFD)        1-2       L
22 May 09          a            Sporting Fingal (LOIFD)         4-1       W
19 May 09          h            Shamrock Rovers (EASC)       2-1       W
15 May 09          a            UCD (LOIFD)                       0-0       D
09 May 09          h            Kildare County (LOIFD)         2-0       W
04 May 09          a            FC Carlow (EASC)                3-1       W
02 May 09          h            Mervue United (LOIFD)         2-0       W
24 Apr 09           a            Limerick FC (LOIFD)             2-0       W
22 Apr 09           a            Clonmel Town (MSC)            2-1       W
18 Apr 09           h            Monaghan United (LOIFD)     6-0       W
11 Apr 09           a            Finn Harps (LOIFD)              3-1       W
04 Apr 09           h            Longford Town (LOIFD)        1-0        W
29 Mar 09           a            Athlone Town (LOIFD)          2-1       W
20 Mar 09           h            Shelbourne (LOIFD)             0-1        L
13 Mar 09           a            Wexford Youths (LOIFD)       1-0       W
07 Mar 09           h            Sporting Fingal (LOIFD)        1-1        D
28 Feb 09           h            Douglas Hall (MSC)              2-0       W
20 Feb 09           a            Mayfield United (Fr)             4-1       W
13 Feb 09           h            Junior League XI (Fr)           3-0       W
07 Feb 09           a            Cork City (Fr)                     1-0       W

Next 5 Matches:
01 Aug 09           a           Mervue United (LOIFD)
04 Aug 09           a           UCD (EASC)
08 Aug 09           a           Kildare County (LOIFD)
14 Aug 09           a           Crumlin United (FAIFC)
22 Aug 09           h           UCD (LOIFD)

Betting:
Waterford: 4/6
Limerick: 7/2
Draw: 12/5

Waterford United’s fourth round tie against Crumlin United has been set for Friday, August 14th, with a 7.45pm kick-off, and will take place at Richmond Park, Dublin, home of St. Patrick’s Athletic.

The club have been informed by Crumlin United that tickets for the game will be €10 for adults, €5 for children, and will be on sale at the ground on the night.

The other ties that weekend are:

Bray Wanderers v Tralee Dynamos

Shamrock Rovers v UCD

Galway United v Longford Town

Sligo Rovers v Derry City

Dundalk v Bohemians

Sporting Fingal v Athlone

Monaghan United v St. Patrick’s Athletic

IBSC Pitch & Putt Classic extended to second day.

The Annual IBSC Pitch & Putt Classic takes place this weekend at Cunnigar P&P club in Dungarvan. Originally scheduled for Sunday, July 26th from 10am to 6pm, due to a clash with the hurling Quarter Final on that day, a second timesheet has now also been opened for the Saturday, July 25th, from midday to 4pm.

Entry is €30 per team of three, and if you, or your company, would like to sponsor a tee or a green the cost is also €30. So why not come along, on the Saturday or the Sunday, and support what has become a hugely popular annual event for the Supporters club!

Monaghan United  0 – 0  Waterford United

Waterford United missed the chance to close the gap at the top of the table as they could only manage a scoreless draw at Kingspan Century Park. It was a  frustrating day for the Blues as they were unable to break down a resolute Monaghan side, whose young keeper Aaron McCarey was in inspired form.

In a first half virtually devoid of incident, Graham Cummins’ eleventh minute snap shot over the top looked to have been the one attack of note, but on 34 minutes the Blues were awarded a free kick on the left edge of the area, and Alan Carey stepped up to rifle his effort off the far post from 20 yards, the rebound cleared behind by Conor McMahon, another of Monaghan’s best performers on the day.

It was a more determined Blues side that took to the field after the break, and McCarey was soon called into action to save low from Kevin Waters after Willie John Kiely had set him clear down the left channel. Two minutes later the striker played a neat one-two with Dave Warren in the area, but fired wide of the near post from a good position.

Barry Clancy had half a sight of goal for the home side on 53 minutes, but volleyed well wide from outside the box. It was a brief respite, as within minutes at the other end Kiely raced on to Seamus Long’s ball into the left channel, and pulled it back for Waters, whose low drive was well blocked by Brian Gartland, McCarey acrobatically clawing the resultant corner kick to safety.

Monaghan had a half-hearted shout for a penalty on 73 minutes, when Kevin Murray appeared to have pulled down substitute Cathal O’Connor, but the impressive referee Rob Rogers gave a free out, and in fact booked O’Connor for simulation. In fact, the Blues might have had their own penalty claim earlier on, when McMahon seemed to use his arm to knock the ball away from Kiely in the Monaghan penalty area, but there was little in the way of protest from the visiting side. As play swung down the other end, Paul Walsh’s fine cross from wide on the right was met by the head of Kiely, but he could only help it over the top.

Into the last eight minutes of the game, the Blues twice came agonizingly close to finally opening the scoring. On 85 minutes Carey fired in a near-perfect free kick from the right edge of the box, and most of the ground thought it was in, but it had whistled an inch past the near upright. Just one minute later, another free kick, on the left edge this time after David Grincell had been fouled, saw Carey’s effort rebound from the wall into the path of Warren, 12 yards out. His low strike was somehow seen through a crowded box by McCarey, who managed to turn it round the post.

The Blues kept pushing as time wore down, and a great run from Grincell set up Kiely, but his shot cannoned back off his own man as the visitors pressed forward in numbers. Despite all their efforts, the deserved goal was simply not forthcoming, and as so often happens in these situations, they ended up somewhat lucky to come away with a point when, in a rare home attack, Karl Bermingham’s fine strike from the corner of the box beat Devine, but not Kenny Browne, who was well set on the line to head clear.

So another 0-0 at Kingspan Century Park for the Blues, the second in the last three visits (the other was a 2-0 defeat so it could have been worse!), and a disappointing return for a team that badly needs to start making some ground back on the league leaders, starting on Saturday with the visit of Limerick. Disappointing too for the small but vociferous band of supporters who made the trek, but at least it was a lovely day for it, and the pints looked good!

Monaghan United: Aaron McCarey, Stefan McKevitt, Shane Grimes, Conor McMahon, Brian Gartland, Don Tierney, Sean Brennan (Cathal O’Connor 70), Alan Byrne, Karl Bermingham, David Freeman (Darragh Hanaphy 90), Barry Clancy – subs: Stephen McCrossan, Craig Harding, Ronan McCann

Booked: O’Connor

Waterford United: Michael Devine; Alan Carey, Kevin Murray, Kenny Browne, Seamus Long (David Grincell 77); Joe Mulcahy (Paul Walsh 64), Dave Warren, Paul McCarthy (Stephen Grant 67), Kevin Waters; Graham Cummins, Willie John Kiely – subs: Kevin Burns, Kieran Fitzgerald

Waterford United U20s  2 – 4  Wexford Youths U20s

Waterford United’s U20s had a tough day at the RSC today, as they went down to a very strong Wexford Youths side in a fantastic opening match of the new league season. Facing 6 or 7 senior squad regulars, the Blues in fact were unlucky not to have got something out of the game, and might even have nicked all three points had Andrew Power’s drive not cannoned back off the crossbar with the score still at 2-2.

Wexford went into an early two goal lead in the first half, as the Blues defence were twice caught napping. On 17 minutes Warren Broaders’ quick pass through the middle set Lee Aust clear to thump past Josh Byrne from 12 yards, and seven minutes later Graham Healy beat Leo Jacques to a ball over the top from Robert Vickers, the Wexford forward showing great touch to lob Byrne on the run from the edge of the area.

The Blues didn’t buckle though, and they deservedly got back on terms by the interval. On 29 minutes Eoin Burke, wide on the left, picked out Paul Carey in the box. The midfielder worked a good position for himself, turned and stabbed it low into the far corner past the exposed William Doyle. And it was Carey who levelled the scores before half time, firing low into the same corner from the penalty spot after Aidan McCann was, somewhat harshly, adjudged to have pulled Gary Keane back as he moved in on Paul O’Brien’s cross.

The second half saw United step up the pressure, and Gary Keane saw a 20 yard snap shot fly just wide of the far post moments in, before Power hit the woodwork on the 50 minute mark. Keane began the move with a great break through midfield, he slipped the ball left to Power who took it into the box before rifling a left foot shot against the underside of the bar from 12 yards.

A succession of chances followed in the space of eight minutes as the action swung from end to end. First Byrne made a fantastic acrobatic save to claw a McCann header away from the top corner on 53 minutes, then Keane saw his looping header sail just over the top with Doyle beaten, then Michael Mullan broke clear against the quickly advancing Byrne but pulled his effort wide of both keeper and far post, and then John Whitty shaved the paint off the crossbar with a 25 yard screamer. Seconds later Power almost got in around the back onto Jacques’ dinked ball over the top, but Doyle got down well to block behind.

Wexford began to get the better of the exchanges as United tired though, and Byrne pulled off the save of the match on 67 minutes as he showed astonishing reactions to somehow tip Tiernan Rossiter’s point-blank header over the top from a Keohane corner. The Blues netminder again made a fine save from Keohane’s long range drive four minutes later, but luck deserted the home side as the rebound fell kindly for Mullan to thump home into the roof of the net. Waterford kept up the pressure, looking for an equaliser all the way to the end, but they were caught on the break in injury time, as Aust headed back a deep left wing cross for Keohane to sweep home left-footed off the inside of the post.

It was bad luck on the young Blues side, who deserved something for their efforts, but it was a heartening opening performance nonetheless, and in addition one of the highest quality matches seen at the RSC in some time.

Some pictures from the game are now in the gallery.

Waterford United: Josh Byrne; Paul O’Brien (Moses Okereafor 86), Kevin Gahan, Leo Jacques, Eoin Burke; Aaron Butler, Andrew Power, Clive Prendergast (Robbie Flynn 82); Paul Carey, Gary Keane, Ryan Foley (John Whitty 45) – subs: Ian Daly, Stephen O’Brien

Goals: Carey 29, 37 pen

Booked: O’Brien

Wexford Youths: William Doyle, Shane Sinnott, Aidan McCann, Warren Broaders, Tiernan Rossiter, Gareth Wallace, Robert Vickers, Lee Aust (Michael Mullan 49), Jimmy Keohane, Marty Kehoe (Shane Dempsey 64), Graham Healy – subs: Kevin Rowe, Robert Dempsey, Gareth McCurtin

Goals: Aust 17, Healy 24, Mullan 71, Keohane 91

Booked: McCann

Waterford United  0 – 3  Ipswich Town

Waterford United were outplayed somewhat in tonight’s high-profile friendly with Roy Keane’s Ipswich Town, but they can take heart from their first half performance at least, when only a superb Kevin Lisbie strike separated the sides.

A packed RSC, bathed in glorious summer evening sunshine, cast a perfect backdrop for a diverting opening 45 minutes. The Blues were first out of the traps, Paul Walsh left cursing his luck as he powered a 15 yard header just over the top when he really should have hit the target. The visitors were getting forward too, but the Blues rearguard were equal to whatever was being thrown at them, charging down shots from distance on two or three occasions. Kevin Waters kept Town keeper Richard Wright on his toes with a well struck free kick on 12 minutes, but on the 20 minute mark Ipswich could and should have opened the scoring, Kevin Lisbie doing brilliantly to get to the bye-line, and cutting back for strike partner Jordan Rhodes, who just didn’t read the pass, and had got too far ahead of play.

Moments later Wright had to be sharp to scramble behind from Dave Warren, and then on the half-hour Ipswich had the ball in the net via a Rhodes lob, only for the linesman’s flag to bring play back. No matter to the visitors though, as they eventually went in front on 36 minutes, Lisbie sweetly driving a half-clearance to the back of the net from 25 yards. Rhodes wasted another good chance right on the stroke of half-time, but really Lisbie’s strike was the only difference between the sides at the break.

Not so after half time though, as a Michael Devine error early on gifted Ipswich a second, putting them in a commanding position. A relatively innocuous cross from the left had the Blues netminder coming out to claim, but he spilled the ball to the feet of Owen Garvan, who fired it home past Kevin Murray on the line. It was a double shame as the changes made at half time, particularly with the introduction of Graham Cummins and Willie John Kiely up front, looked to have kickstarted a Blues revival.

On 52 minutes Cummins was set clear through the middle, and though his poked effort on the stretch  was directed past Wright, the big keeper somehow managed to throw a hand backwards to prevent the goal. A period of Waterford pressure resulted in a series of corner kicks as the home side kept the visitors pegged back, but they couldn’t fashion another clear-cut chance, and they paid the price minutes later. On the hour mark Lisbie, at the near post, had forced a superb save down low from Devine, but three minutes later Paul McCarthy left a lateral pass woefully short, and Garvan drove through the middle before planting an unstoppable low drive past Devine’s outstretched left hand.

That killed the game off, and the home side looked a little flat as the game wore on, but they came back into the game in the final minutes, and Willie John Kiely worked himself into good positions on two occasions, crowded out on the first of those, he tried to square to Cummins on the second, when in reality he had the best sight of goal of the whole match, and really should have pulled the trigger himself. Five minutes from time, at the other end, sub Liam Trotter fired across Kevin Burns and just wide of the far post on the run, and that was it for scoring chances.

After the match Roy Keane was complimentary towards his hosts, expressing himself most pleased with the challenge the part-timers had provided his side, but the disappointment was obvious on Stephen Henderson’s face. Certainly the Blues were worth a goal, no more than they deserved on their first half showing, at least.

Waterford United: Michael Devine (Kevin Burns 65), Alan Carey (Paul McCarthy 45), Kevin Murray (Seamus Long 45), Kenny Browne, John Kearney; Paul Walsh (Gary Dunphy 65), Stephen Grant (Graham Cummins 45), Kieran Fitzgerald, Kevin Waters (Joe Mulcahy 45); Dave Warren (Paul Carey 75), David Grincell (Willie John Kiely 45) - subs not used: none

Ipswich Town: Richard Wright; Alex Bruce, Gareth McAuley, Pim Balkenstein, Shane O’Connor (Tommy Smith 45); Alan Quinn, Owen Garvan, Veliche Shumulikoski, David Norris (Liam Trotter 45); Kevin Lisbie (Jonathan Stead 65), Jordan Rhodes (Connor Wickham 65) – sub not used: Shane Supple

Goals: Lisbie 36, Garvan 46, 63

Waterford United are back in league action after an unscheduled break when they travel to take on Monaghan United this Sunday afternoon (KO 3.00pm).

Last week’s match against Finn Harps at the RSC fell foul of torrential rain, so it is a fortnight since their last league encounter, the 3-1 win over Longford Town at Flancare Park. In the meantime they have also faced Ipswich Town on Friday night in a high-profile friendly match, going down 3-0 to a Championship outfit that looked in meaner mood than ten days ago against the Donegal outfit.

Last April the Blues ran riot against Monaghan, rattling the net six times for no reply, but since then the Ulstermen have made Kingspan Century Park something of a fortress, with only UCD coming away with all three points, and that by the odd goal in five. Waterford will also not need reminding that they went down 2-0 on their last trip to the border county, but they will travel northwards with a lot of confidence, backed up by an away record that remains excellent, with six wins out of eight on their travels.

Stephen Henderson’s squad has been hugely improved by three excellent summer signings, and the newest of these, right sided midfielder Paul Walsh, is in line to make his league debut for the Blues on Sunday. The Blues boss will have to do without midfielder and current left-back John Kearney due to suspension, but with the team having come through the Ipswich match apparently unscathed, he will otherwise have a full panel to choose from.

Suspensions:

John Kearney – one match (4 penalty points)

Injury Update:
none

League Top Scorers:
11 -   Willie John Kiely
         Graham Cummins
2 -     Gary Dunphy
         Kenny Browne
1 -     Paul McCarthy
         Joe Mulcahy
         Kevin Waters
         Kevin Murray

Top Scorers (All Competitive):
15 -   Willie John Kiely (2 FAI Ford Cup, 2 EA Sports Cup)
14 -   Graham Cummins (2 FAI Ford Cup, 1 EA Sports Cup)
4 -     David Grincell (1 FAI Ford Cup, 3 MSC)
3 -     Gary Dunphy (1 MSC)
         Joe Mulcahy (1 FAI Ford Cup, 1 MSC)
2 -     Kenny Browne
         Kevin Waters (1 EA Sports Cup)
         John Kearney (1 MSC, 1 EA Sports Cup)
1 -     Paul McCarthy
         Kevin Murray

Form:
League: DWLWW WWWWW DWLLW Wp
All: WDWLW WWWWW WWWDW WLWLW WWpL

Last Match:    Waterford United 0  -  Ipswich Town 3 (Lisbie 36, Gavan 46, 63)
                     Longford Town 1 (McCartney 75)  -  Waterford United 3 (Cummins 10, 80, Kiely 41)

Previous Meetings:
18 Apr 09      L         Waterford United   v   Monaghan United           6 – 0
15 Nov 08      L        Monaghan United   v   Waterford United           2 – 0
12 Sep 08      L        Waterford United   v   Monaghan United           1 – 1
11 Jul 08       L        Monaghan United   v   Waterford United            0 – 0
02 May 08     L        Waterford United   v   Monaghan United            5 – 0
25 Feb 06      Fr      Monaghan United   v   Waterford United            0 – 0
04 Jan 03      L       Waterford United   v   Monaghan United            2 – 2
20 Oct 02      L       Monaghan United   v   Waterford United            1 – 1

Results This Season:
17 Jul 09            h            Ipswich Town (Friendly)        0-3       L
11 Jul 09            h            Finn Harps (LOIFD)               p-p       postponed
05 Jul 09            a            Longford Town (LOIFD)         3-1       W
19 Jun 09           h            Athlone Town (LOIFD)           2-1       W
13 Jun 09           h            Carrigaline United (FAIFC)      6-0       W  
05 Jun 09           a            Shelbourne (LOIFD)               0-1       L
02 Jun 09           n            Rockmount (MSC)                 2-1      W
30 May 09          h            Wexford Youths (LOIFD)        1-2       L
22 May 09          a            Sporting Fingal (LOIFD)         4-1       W
19 May 09          h            Shamrock Rovers (EASC)       2-1       W
15 May 09          a            UCD (LOIFD)                       0-0       D
09 May 09          h            Kildare County (LOIFD)         2-0       W
04 May 09          a            FC Carlow (EASC)                3-1       W
02 May 09          h            Mervue United (LOIFD)         2-0       W
24 Apr 09           a            Limerick FC (LOIFD)             2-0       W
22 Apr 09           a            Clonmel Town (MSC)            2-1       W
18 Apr 09           h            Monaghan United (LOIFD)     6-0       W
11 Apr 09           a            Finn Harps (LOIFD)              3-1       W
04 Apr 09           h            Longford Town (LOIFD)        1-0        W
29 Mar 09           a            Athlone Town (LOIFD)          2-1       W
20 Mar 09           h            Shelbourne (LOIFD)             0-1        L
13 Mar 09           a            Wexford Youths (LOIFD)       1-0       W
07 Mar 09           h            Sporting Fingal (LOIFD)        1-1        D
28 Feb 09           h            Douglas Hall (MSC)              2-0       W
20 Feb 09           a            Mayfield United (Fr)             4-1       W
13 Feb 09           h            Junior League XI (Fr)           3-0       W
07 Feb 09           a            Cork City (Fr)                     1-0       W

Next 5 Matches:
25 Jul 09             h           Limerick (LOIFD)
01 Aug 09           a           Mervue United (LOIFD)
04 Aug 09           a           UCD (EASC)
08 Aug 09           a           Kildare County (LOIFD)
14/16 Aug 09       a          Crumlin United (FAIFC)

Betting:
Monaghan: 5/2
Waterford: 10/11
Draw: 9/4