Wexford Youths U20s 3-1 Waterford United U20s

The AOL sponsored Waterford United U-20 side lost out to a physically stronger and vastly more experienced Wexford Youths team at Ferrycarrig Park last Sunday. A tough, physical encounter started evenly, with some fast-flowing football. Wexford, though, were in more determined mood, and this lead them to gain the upper hand early in the game, and as early as 11 minutes the hesitant Blues defence allowed Kevin Rowe in for a soft opening goal. Just four minutes later Wexford forced a corner on the right, and Shane Dempsey rose unchallenged in the penalty area to head high into the roof of the net.

Waterford were playing well below their best in the first half, and with Wexford much more up for the challenge, Mick Wallace’s side continued to dominate. This was a day when none of the Waterford players were on best form, and with the Youths on song it was not looking good for the young Blues. They did continue to try to lift their game, and they were rewarded on the half hour when a Ryan Foley corner caused panic in the home defence, and Lee Aust crashed an attempted clearance off Dempsey and into his own net. Foley had a great chance himself when Declan Woodgate’s ball over the top found him wide of the right post, but his volley on the turn flew over the top.

After the break, with the young Blues pushing to get themselves back into the game, they were caught by a sucker punch just shy of the hour mark, as Tiernan Rossiter rose highest at the far post to head home Michael Mullen’s right wing cross. Shortly afterwards Aust clipped the outside of the post with a low effort after a corner was poorly cleared.

The young Blues kept battling, and began to get some joy going forward, down the left flank in particular through the efforts of Paul Carey and Declan Woodgate. Two minutes from time a fine Woodgate run and cross set up Leo Jacques for a well-struck volley that was charged down. And right at the death a defence-splitting Paul O’Brien pass found Ben Ryan in space, but his cross-shot dropped onto the roof of the Youths net, and that was that. The young Blues are still in the hunt for the second quarter final spot, but they now must also hope for a bit help from another side.

Wexford: Pa Doyle, Jimmy Keohane, Warren Broaders, Aidan McCann, Chris Kenny, Gavin O’Brien (Gareth Wallace 55), Shane Dempsey, Tiernan Rossiter, Lee Aust (Robert Vickers 81), Michael Mullen (Marty Kehoe 74), Kevin Rowe – subs: Eoin O’Shea, Dara McDonald
Manager: Mick Wallace
Waterford: Kevin Burns, Aaron Butler, Kevin Gahan, Leo Jacques, Declan Woodgate, Ryan Foley (Jack Poyntz 81), Andrew Power, Conor Barry (Paul O’Brien 64), Clive Prendergast (Eoin Burke 55), Paul Carey, Ben Ryan – subs: Josh Byrne, Moses Okereafor
Manager: Paul O’Brien

Waterford United  1 – 0  Longford Town

It might not have been the prettiest of matches, but Waterford United were good enough to take all three points from Longford Town as they played through their Cup hangover. Ahead to an early Paul Walsh goal, United couldn’t find the second to make the game safe, leading to a nervy final stretch for the fans, if not the players, who, in truth, rarely looked in much danger from the visiting side.

The Blues made two enforced changes to last Saturday’s starting line-up, Walsh and Kevin Waters coming in for the suspended Graham Cummins and Kenny Browne, with the team reverting to a more orthodox 4-4-2. And in the opening minutes, both newcomers were involved in promising moves down their respective flanks. On four minutes Walsh and Stephen Grant combined well on the right to set up Vinny Sullivan, his cross forcing Aaron Shanahan to come quickly off his line to punch clear off Willie John Kiely’s head. Moments later Waters got on the end of a fine ball down the left wing and set Grant clear to the endline, but Ray Kenny got back to make a tackle on the line.

The deadlock was broken on 13 minutes, when Seamus Long lofted a high cross-field ball forward, and Walsh easily sprung the ponderous offside trap to race clear. Taking his time to get the ball under control as he advanced into the area, he coolly fired under the exposed Shanahan from 12 yards. Almost immediately from the restart, Kiely sprung the trap in similar fashion, but he wasn’t as quick to get himself set, allowing Brian McCarthy time to get back. The challenge in the box looked to be a foul, but play continued, and Kiely recovered well to spin and attempt a lob-volley from the edge of the area, Shanahan just getting his fingertips to it.

Kevin Murray was next to test the Town keeper, with a well struck 20-yard volley from a corner kick, and moments later again Walsh did well down the right to find Kiely with a clever pull-back eighteen yards out, the striker turning deftly to fire left-footed,  just over the top. Longford gave their hosts a scare on 27 minutes, when Michael Foley’s corner kick flew through the area to Liam Lynch at the back post, and he somehow contrived to bundle the ball over the bar from close range. It was a warning to United of the frailty of their lead. Within two minutes Waters dinked a superb ball over the top for Dave Warren, sliding in to stab goalwards from eight yards, but straight at Shanahan. That was the last chance of the half, and the last incident of note, other than Alan Carey’s early retirement due to injury.

Longford were first out of the blocks after the break, Foley setting Derek Glynn away with a clever ball over the top, but Long got back quickly enough to pressure him into blazing wildly over. That was to be the closest the visitors came to grabbing an equaliser, and as the half wore on the Town’s attacking threat diminished noticeably, but while the score remained at 1-0 there was always the chance of a moment of magic, an error or even a bad bounce robbing the Blues of victory. Another goal was needed to settle the nerves, but it refused to materialise.

On 53 minutes there was a big shout for handball as John Kearney clipped a cross against the arm of McCarthy, but it would have been a harsh call. Thirteen minutes later a long ball forward was chased down by Sullivan. Shanahan got there first but his clearance was poorly struck, straight to Kiely, and he volleyed back goalwards only to find the keeper recovered and set to turn it round the post. Waters got his head to the corner kick but didn’t put enough on it and the ball flew wide of the far post.

Three minutes from time a final flurry of Blues chances began with excellent work from Walsh down the right side, cutting in to square for Waters, who looked certain to score but for an outstanding last ditch block from Kenny. The corner from the left lead to another from the right, and from that Sullivan almost got in at the back post, but Shanahan held well. The final moments saw the Blues run down the clock comfortably in Longford’s corners, and in the end it was a fairly facile victory, even if it caused no little anxiety amongst the sparse crowd. A vital three points, though, as the race to overhaul UCD and Shelbourne begins in earnest.

Waterford: Michael Devine; Alan Carey (Kieran Fitzgerald 41), Seamus Long, Kevin Murray, John Kearney; Paul Walsh, Dave Warren, Stephen Grant, Kevin Waters; Vinny Sullivan (Joe Mulcahy 89), Willie John Kiely – subs: Kevin Burns, Gary Dunphy, Paul Carey

Goals: Walsh 13

Booked: Murray

Longford: Aaron Shanahan, Ray Kenny, Jordan McMillan (Michael Lee 45), Brian McCarthy, Kevin Cronin, Liam Lynch (Tom King 57), Stephen Gough, Gary Curran (Darren McKenna 67), Jason McCartney, Michael Foley, Derek Glynn - subs: Neil McKenna, Carmine Russo

Booked: McCartney

Referee: Sean Grant (Wexford)

Waterford United get back to league action when they play host to Longford Town at the RSC on Tuesday night (KO 7.45pm).
 
After the sizeable distraction of the EA Sports Cup Final at the RSC on Saturday, it’s down to brass tacks once again as United seek to maintain their promotion challenge. The Cup decider was a disappointing affair for the Blues, as they let nerves get the better of them in the early stages, and left themselves with a huge mountain to climb in the second half. Somewhat overrun by Bohemians early on, and falling behind to a pretty unassailable 3-0 lead, they nonetheless fought back bravely after the break, finally pulling a deserved goal back, and finishing the game on top. The experience will stand to the young team, and sooner rather than later, with some big games left to come before this season is out.
 
United now must get themselves ready for the challenge of former boss Gareth Cronin’s Longford Town. Last year, under Cronin, the Blues took ten points from the four games against the Midlanders, and this year they’ve continued to have the upper hand, winning both of their meetings so far. Many of the team will be playing against their former gaffer, but it remains to be seen what effect, if any, this will have on the way the Town approach the game. For Stephen Henderson’s part, his side will approach the game like any other, putting in the best performance they can to ensure the required three points.
 
He will have to plan without the services of centre back Kenny Browne, and top-scoring striker Graham Cummins, two fairly hefty blows to his plans. Both were sent off against Athlone last weekend, and are serving their automatic suspensions for this game. Other than the two long-term absentees there are no injuries to report.
 

Suspensions:
Kenny Browne – 1 match (automatic as per FIFA directive)
Graham Cummins – 1 match (automatic as per FIFA directive)
 

Injury Update:
Paul McCarthy (groin operation – out for remainder of season)
David Grincell (broken wrist – 5 weeks to end of season)
 

Top Scorers (League):
17 -   Graham Cummins
11 -   Willie John Kiely
2 -     Gary Dunphy
         Kenny Browne
         David Grincell
         Alan Carey
1 -     Paul McCarthy
         Joe Mulcahy
         Kevin Waters
         Kevin Murray
         Vinny Sullivan
         Own goal
 

Top Scorers (All Competitive):
23 -   Graham Cummins (17 League, 3 FAI Ford Cup, 3 EA Sports Cup)
17 -   Willie John Kiely (11 League, 4 FAI Ford Cup, 2 EA Sports Cup)
6 -     David Grincell (2 League, 1 FAI Ford Cup, 3 MSC)
4 -     Kenny Browne (2 League, 2 EA Sports Cup)
3 -     Gary Dunphy (2 League, 1 MSC)
         Joe Mulcahy (1 League, 1 FAI Ford Cup, 1 MSC)
         Kevin Waters (1 League, 1 FAI Ford Cup, 1 EA Sports Cup)
         Alan Carey (2 League, 1 FAI Ford Cup)
2 -     John Kearney (1 MSC, 1 EA Sports Cup)
1 -     Paul McCarthy (1 League)
         Kevin Murray (1 League)
         Vinny Sullivan (1 League)
         Own goal (1 League)
 

Form:
League: DWLWW WWWWW DWLLW WDWWW WLDDW
All: WDWLW WWWWW WWWDW WLWLW WWLDW WWWWD WLDDD WWL
 

Last Match:    Bohemians 3 (Brennan 7, 30 (pen), Fenn 42) – Waterford United 1 (Browne 80)
 

Previous Meetings:
05 Jul 09       L      Longford Town   v   Waterford United        1 – 3
04 Apr 09      L      Waterford United   v   Longford Town        1 – 0
27 Sep 08     L      Longford Town   v   Waterford United         0 – 3
25 Jul 08       L      Waterford United  v  Longford Town          4 – 0
17 May 08     L      Longford Town    v    Waterford United      0 – 2
14 Mar 08      L     Waterford United    v    Longford Town       1 – 1
 

Results This Season:
26 Sep 09          a            Bohemians (EASC)                 1-3       L
19 Sep 09          a            Athlone Town (LOIFD)            2-1       W
15 Sep 09          a            St Patrick’s Athletic(FAIFC)     2-0       W
12 Sep 09          h            St Patrick’s Athletic (FAIFC)    1-1       D
04 Sep 09          a            Wexford Youths (LOIFD)         0-0       D
29 Aug 09          h            Sporting Fingal (LOIFD)          0-0       D
22 Aug 09          h            UCD (LOIFD)                        0-1       L
18 Aug 09          h            Crumlin United (FAIFC)           2-0      W
14 Aug 09          a            Crumlin United (FAIFC)           0-0       D
08 Aug 09          a            Kkildare County (LOIFD)         2-0       W
04 Aug 09          a            UCD (EASC)                        3-1       W
01 Aug 09          a            Mervue United (LOIFD)          2-0       W
28 Jul 09            h            Finn Harps (LOIFD)               4-0       W
25 Jul 09            h            Limerick FC (LOIFD)              2-1       W
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 6 Matches:
03 Oct 09           a           Finn Harps (LOIFD)
06 Oct 09           h           Shelbourne (LOIFD)
09 Oct 09           h           Monaghan United (LOIFD)
16 Oct 09           a           Limerick FC (LOIFD)
20 Oct 09           h           Mervue United (LOIFD)
23 Oct 09           a           Sligo Rovers (FAIFC)

 
Betting:
Waterford: 2/5
Longford: 13/2
Draw: 11/4

Bohemian FC  3 - 1  Waterford United

Bohemians tonight showed why they are the best team in Ireland as they proved too strong for a Blues side that were outplayed in the first half, but showed great heart to stage a rousing finale. 3-0 up after 42 minutes, the Dubliners had the game sewn up in a first half they dominated, but United, to their credit, clawed their way back into the game, and finished with a charge that might have made the game somewhat more even if they could have produced it earlier.

The Blues started the game with the same line-up as the previous two matches, but it was a side lacking that ability to get a hold of the game that characterised those previous two outings. This time, United in the first half were second best to a very, very good Bohs side, and they found themselves defending a Killian Brennan corner just 30 seconds in. That was cleared, but Brennan continued to cause problems early on, and he opened the scoring after just seven minutes had passed. A handball on the right edge of the box lead to the winger clipping a sweetly struck free kick up over the wall and inside the near post, giving Michael Devine no chance.

Waterford’s early ripostes came mainly through a series of dangerous Alan Carey free kicks, but they never really troubled the Bohs defence, and on the half hour mark the gap was widened in somewhat controversial circumstances when a Kevin Murray shove on Marc Hughes was spotted by referee Derek Tomney, who pointed to the spot. Tomney’s assistant, however, didn’t spot a foul on Vinny Sullivan in the build up to the penalty, and so it stood. Brennan struck it low to his right, sending Devine the wrong way.

If the second was soft, the third was a positive gift. Ken Oman and Brennan again had already had half chances for the Dublin side, when, on 42 minutes, Neale Fenn was teed up by a neat lay-off from Joey Ndo. Fenn’s shot from distance was swerving viciously, and seemed to completely catch out Devine at the last second as it squirmed through his hands and dropped over the line. The Blues ended the half on the attack, when Willie John Kiely headed Vinny Sullivan’s cross a couple of yards wide, but in truth it was a comfortable half for the Phibsboro outfit, and keeper Brian Murphy did not have a save to make.

United began to push on more after the break, also leaving more gaps at the back, as the game opened out. Within a minute Carey had made a great run down the right, and though thwarted by Ndo, the ball broke to Dave Warren on the edge of the area, but his shot was driven high over the top. The Blues defence rode their luck in the 56th minute, when Carey stumbled on the ball in the centre of the area with Ndo hovering, and had to stab it behind for a corner. Glen Cronin was given acres of space from the restart to fire in low from distance, but when the ball broke to Fenn the flag went straight up, although Devine had made a superb stop in any case.

As United kept pushing forward they began to get into the game more and more, and Sullivan (twice) and Warren had good sights of goal before the rangy striker spurned the best chance of the half on 74 minutes. A fine Carey through ball was deftly flicked on by Cummins, only for Sullivan to fire agonisingly over from 10 yards out. Within six minutes, though, the Blues had one back. Kevin Waters flighted in a free kick from the left which slipped through Brian Murphy’s grasp and fell at the feet of Cummins beyond the far post, the big Corkman keeping his head to slip a short pass inside to Kenny Browne, who thumped it home to the roof of the net.

As Waterford kept up the pressure, another nice move moments later saw Cummins seek out Paul Walsh in acres of space, but Brennan got in to make a fine saving interception. Almost immediately the pair combined again, Walsh teed up perfectly but firing straight at Murphy. Cummins himself whistled a superbly struck effort from distance inches wide of the right upright on 82 minutes, and though United finished the game very much on the front foot, they came no closer to pegging the lead back any further.

It was a fine finishing spell to the game, and salvaged a huge amount of Blue pride, but it ultimately proved too little too late, and Bohemians saw out the three minutes of injury time to be crowned deserved champions. For Waterford, a very disappointing was to finish, but another excellent Cup run, the second of the season, with the biggest one yet to come. And, of course, the small matter of the promotion chase, which swings back around in three days time with the visit of Longford Town on Tuesday night.

Bohemians: Brian Murphy; Owen Heary, Brian Shelley, Ken Oman, Conor Powell; Paul Keegan (Ryan McEvoy 78), Joseph Ndo (Anto Murphy 70), Glenn Cronin, Killian Brennan; Marc Hughes, Neale Fenn (Glen Crowe 85) - subs: Matt Gregg, Jason Byrne

Goals: Brennan 7, 30 (pen), Fenn 42

Booked: Shelley, Fenn

Waterford United: Michael Devine; Alan Carey, Kevin Murray, Kenny Browne, Seamus Long (Kevin Waters 69); Stephen Grant, Dave Warren (Paul Walsh 69), John Kearney; Vinny Sullivan, Graham Cummins, Willie John Kiely – subs: Kieran Fitzgerald, Gary Dunphy, Joe Mulcahy

Goals: Browne 80

Booked: Devine, Kiely

Referee: Derek Tomney (Dublin)

For all those attending the EA Sports Cup final tomorrow (KO 5.30pm), just a recap of some of the arrangements that will be in place on the day.

Firstly, anyone still looking for tickets should head to John Ryan’s shop on Patrick Street in the city, where any remaining tickets will be on sale up until 1pm.

At the RSC, the gates will be open from 4.00pm.

There will be no access to the carpark for fans as there normally would be. Only those allocated car park passes and emergency services will be allowed to bring vehicles inside the gates.

Blues fans with tickets to the Old Stand must access the ground at the Cork Road entrance ONLY.

Bohemians fans and Blues fans with New Stand tickets must enter by the new turnstiles on the Ring Road ONLY.

Seating in the stands is determined by block, and patrons must sit within the block named on their match ticket. Within each block seating is unreserved and allocated on a first-come-first-served basis, so get there early to get the best seats!

Waterford United take on high-flying Bohemians in the much anticipated EA Sports Cup final at the RSC this Saturday (KO 5.30pm).
 
The Blues take part in a League Cup final for only the third time in its 35 year history, but they do have the distinction of lifting the trophy on both of their previous attempts. In the inaugural Cup in 1974, Waterford, under player-manager Alfie Hale, beat a Finn Harps side (that included players of the calibre of Brendan Bradley and Charlie Ferry) by two goals to one at Tolka Park. Hale himself, and Johnny Matthews, were the goalscorers on the day, and the Blues also were forced to play defender Peter Bryan between the sticks after Peter Thomas got injured before the match.
 
Eleven years later, 1985, and Alfie Hale was again the manager, and Finn Harps again the opposition, as United lifted the trophy for a second time, at their home ground of Kilcohan Park this time. The Blues’ lethal strike force of Pat Morley and Mick Bennett grabbed a goal apiece as Waterford came from behind to win 2-1 once again.
 
Though Saturday’s match is again taking place at the home ground of the Blues, they are nominally the away side for the tie. But “home” advantage will count for little in the game. For one thing United, like many teams in the first division, have a better record on the road than at the RSC, and for another they are pitted against the team currently at the pinnacle of domestic football. Manager Stephen Henderson has no fears on that score, however, backing his side to compete against any team in the league, having already seen them defeat St Patrick’s Athletic away in the FAI Ford Cup, and Shamrock Rovers at home in this competition.
 
Confidence in the squad is sky-high after their incredible win against Athlone Town at Lissywoollen Stadium last weekend, having been reduced to nine men for well over an hour of that match. A simply outstanding performance from the short-handed team, full of grit and determination, and endless running, saw them deservedly take all three points back down the N80. They will need something similar if they are to defeat the Gypsies for the first time since September 2005, but with the run they are having in Cup competiions this year, who would bet against that?
 
Apart for long-term absentees Paul McCarthy and David Grincell, Henderson has no injury worries ahead of the big game, nor any suspension worries since it was quickly confirmed that striker Graham Cummins and defender Kenny Browne would not miss the match after being sent to the line against Athlone last weekend. Winger Paul Walsh is also available for selection as he is not cup-tied in this competition.
 
 
Henderson Quotes:
On the Athlone match:
“That was incredible, truly incredible, and I am shattered, I really am.”
“We never stopped believing, and at half time we told the remaining players to try and win as many set pieces as possible because that was the way we were going to score, and thankfully that is what happened.”
“It took great heart and spirit to get that result, and it took some big men with big hearts to come up with those goals.”
“The nine players who had to play for well over an hour showed some character and guts, and I am very proud of each and every one of them because this win is huge for us.”
 
On the Cup final:
“I think that the EA Sports cup final is more important to Bohs now after being knocked out of the FAI cup, but we won’t fear them one bit. We’re well able to compete against the top sides in the Premier division so there’s no reason why that can’t be the case this weekend.”
“It’s going to be a great day and a great occasion for everybody in Waterford, and like I said winning against St Pat’s has given the players a taste for success now and they want to end the season with some medals in their back pockets.”
“The League Cup final is the first chance they’ll get to get a medal, but I can tell you now that these players want gold medals and not silver ones.”
“I think when cup opportunities like these come along you have to grasp them, and these players will grasp them, no doubt.”
“We know how good Bohemians are, and they’ll be a very hard side to beat, but I also have faith in my players and they won’t for one minute fear the league champions.”
“[since last December] we’ve managed to put a squad of players together that are prepared to play for this club and play for each other. They’ve been fantastic, and I think what people have seen over recent months is a team that produced something very special this year, however we’re not finished yet.”
 

Suspensions:
none
 

Injury Update:
Paul McCarthy (groin operation – out for remainder of season)
David Grincell (broken wrist – 5 weeks to end of season)
 

Top Scorers (League):
17 -   Graham Cummins
11 -   Willie John Kiely
2 -     Gary Dunphy
         Kenny Browne
         David Grincell
         Alan Carey
1 -     Paul McCarthy
         Joe Mulcahy
         Kevin Waters
         Kevin Murray
         Vinny Sullivan
         Own goal
 

Top Scorers (All Competitive):
23 -   Graham Cummins (17 League, 3 FAI Ford Cup, 3 EA Sports Cup)
17 -   Willie John Kiely (11 League, 4 FAI Ford Cup, 2 EA Sports Cup)
6 -     David Grincell (2 League, 1 FAI Ford Cup, 3 MSC)
3 -     Gary Dunphy (2 League, 1 MSC)
         Joe Mulcahy (1 League, 1 FAI Ford Cup, 1 MSC)
         Kenny Browne (2 League, 1 EA Sports Cup)
         Kevin Waters (1 League, 1 FAI Ford Cup, 1 EA Sports Cup)
         Alan Carey (2 League, 1 FAI Ford Cup)
2 -     John Kearney (1 MSC, 1 EA Sports Cup)
1 -     Paul McCarthy (1 League)
         Kevin Murray (1 League)
         Vinny Sullivan (1 League)
         Own goal (1 League)
 

Form:
League: DWLWW WWWWW DWLLW WDWWW WLDDW
All: WDWLW WWWWW WWWDW WLWLW WWLDW WWWWD WLDDD WW
 

Last Match:    Athlone Town 1 (McGee 88) – Waterford United 2 (Sullivan 73, A Carey 85 pen)
 

Previous Meetings:
14 Sep 07       L      Waterford United   v   Bohemians       0 – 0
25 Jun 07        L      Bohemians   v   Waterford United       1 – 0
30 Mar 07       L      Waterford United   v   Bohemians        0 – 1
22 Sep 06       L      Bohemians   v   Waterford United        3 – 1
30 Jun 06       L      Waterford United   v   Bohemians        1 – 3
31 Mar 06       L      Bohemians   v   Waterford United        4 – 2
 

Results This Season:
19 Sep 09          a            Athlone Town (LOIFD)            2-1       W
15 Sep 09          a            St Patrick’s Athletic(FAIFC)     2-0       W
12 Sep 09          h            St Patrick’s Athletic (FAIFC)    1-1       D
04 Sep 09          a            Wexford Youths (LOIFD)         0-0       D
29 Aug 09          h            Sporting Fingal (LOIFD)          0-0       D
22 Aug 09          h            UCD (LOIFD)                        0-1       L
18 Aug 09          h            Crumlin United (FAIFC)           2-0      W
14 Aug 09          a            Crumlin United (FAIFC)           0-0       D
08 Aug 09          a            Kkildare County (LOIFD)         2-0       W
04 Aug 09          a            UCD (EASC)                        3-1       W
01 Aug 09          a            Mervue United (LOIFD)          2-0       W
28 Jul 09            h            Finn Harps (LOIFD)               4-0       W
25 Jul 09            h            Limerick FC (LOIFD)              2-1       W
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 6 Matches:
29 Sep 09           h           Longford Town (LOIFD)
03 Oct 09           a           Finn Harps (LOIFD)
06 Oct 09           h           Shelbourne (LOIFD)
09 Oct 09           h           Monaghan United (LOIFD)
16 Oct 09           a           Limerick FC (LOIFD)
20 Oct 09           h           Mervue United (LOIFD)

 
Betting:
Bohemians: 8/11
Waterford: 3/1
Draw: 5/2

UNDER A GYPSIES CURSE? LET’S HOPE NOT!     -    BRIAN KENNEDY

Everybody loves an underdog. 99 per cent of the time the minnows in these match-ups last about 2 minutes before being hammered 6-0 at home but tonight (with all due respect to Bohemians) I’m sure there are several Dublin clubs hoping the Blues can shock the Gypsies and bring home our third ever League Cup. My old pal Glenn Cronin, whom I’ve become good friends with since his Exeter City days, knows all about shocks as he was part of the Devon club’s 0-0 draw as a non-league side at Old Trafford in 2005, and will be lining up against Waterford tonight. Hopefully I’ll be annoying him after the game! If we are to win against the odds, we’ll have to follow in these team’s footsteps.

FA CUP 3rd ROUND 1972 – HEREFORD UTD 2-1 NEWCASTLE

My favourite giant-killing of all time. Hereford were a Southern League side when they took on First Division (that’s Premiership to you young chaps) Newcastle United in the third round of the 1972 cup competition. The minnows had already stunned the Geordies by holding them to a 2-2 draw at St James Park; however the replay would be remembered for more for obvious reasons. Played on a pitch of mud and not one blade of grass, the Magpies still took the lead as late as the 82nd minute when barrel-chested Malcolm McDonald headed United in front. Then, well you know what happened then! Three minutes later 30 year old Ronnie Radford unleashed an exocet missile that travelled at  least 587 miles an hour and tore the net off the visiting goal (had there been no net it’s safe to say at least ten people would have been killed by the speed the ball was travelling) to level the scores. Poor old Ricky George always gets overlooked and he’s the one actually scored the winner for Hereford in extra time!

FIFA WORLD CUP 1950

A tournament full of shocks with India qualifying (then withdrawing), and hosts Brazil losing 2-1 in the final to Uruguay (in front of 200,000 people), but this tournament will always be remembered for the USA’s astonishing 1-0 win over a star studded English team. Hilarious.

FA CUP FINAL 1973 – LEEDS UNITED 0-1 SUNDERLAND

The dirty Leeds United side of the early seventies got their comeuppance when rank outsiders Sunderland beat them with an Ian Porterfield goal and a Jim Montgomery save that gets even more astonishing every time it’s told (the latest version was that he actually lost his arms in a mining accident and  the ones he had were artificial at Wembley). A victory for football and proof that kicking your way to victory doesn’t always work.

FA CUP FINAL 1988 - LIVERPOOL 0-1 WIMBLEDON

Putting a cap on a meteoric rise from the depths of non-league football, Wimbledon’s self proclaimed “Crazy Gang” really did shock the footballing world when they hilariously beat Kenny Daglish’s Liverpool in the 1988 FA Cup final. Beardsley had a goal chalked off for nothing, Lawrie Sanchez notched from a set piece and John Aldridge famously has the honour of missing the first penalty in an FA Cup final.

EUROPEAN FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP, 1992:

Set in Sweden, the Danish team who had entered only as a reserve from the looming Yugoslav wars amazingly went on to win the tournament in real Roy Of The Rovers squash-buckling fashion – beating the defending European Champions, Holland, in the semi finals and then defeating the reigning World Champions, Germany, 2-0 in the final. Even more amazing in that final was the fact John Jensen not only managed a shot on target but actually scored with it.

FIFA WORLD CUP, 2002:

The Senegalese team beat France, the reigning World Cup champions in the opening game. The French went on to make a total balls of their group stage and went out after three games. The South Korean team finished with their best ever placing in World Cup history to date - taking 4th place and knocking Italy out along the way (with some help from a referee with a brown envelope in his back pocket and the promise of a few ladies of the night back in his hotel room. Allegedly).

In  EURO 2004 , Greece, which some bookies had at odds 0f 350-1 to win at the start of the tournament, defeated the hosts Portugal in their opening match, also the defending champions France, then favourites Czech Republic in the semi-finals, and Portugal again in the final, to win the trophy in probably the most unexpected victory in football history. Once again England lost in a penalty shoot out (their 97th one on the trot).

FA CUP 3rd ROUND 1989 - SUTTON UNITED 2-1 COVENTRY CITY

Two years previously a Keith Houchen header had completed a fairytale ending to the 1987 Cup Final for Coventry with a thrilling 3-2 win over Spurs. However playing in the middle of nowhere , with just 4,000 spectators against a team eight divisions lower, the lowly Londoners (with goals from Tony Rains & Matthew Hanlon) shocked a City team that included David Speedie, Cyril Regis (who was probably 62 at the time) and Steve (my nose has saved more goals than my hands) Ogrizovic. Sutton were unlucky in the 4th round – holding out for for 25 minutes…. before being beaten 8-0 by Norwich.

FA CUP 3rd ROUND 1984 – BOUREMOUTH 2-0 MANCHESTER UTD

Old wheeler-dealer, second-hand car type Harry Redknapp masterminded a superb two goal victory over Ron Atkinson’s red devils in the shock of the 1984 cup tournament. To use the word “shock” actually is a bit much considering United were awful for about two decades before Mark Robins saved Alex Ferguson’s head in 1989 and the rest is history.

Waterford United were drawn away to Sligo Rovers for their FAI Ford Cup semi final match, probably the least hoped for of all possible outcomes.

In addition to being the furthest trip possible, Sligo are the highest ranked side still left in the mix, and are in top form in the competition, having seen off Cork City, Derry City and most recently Bohemians.

However, Blues fans won’t need reminding of the last Cup tie played between the sides at the Showgrounds, a 3rd round replay in 2007 which Waterford won 4-3 on penalties after coming from behind to level at 2-2 and force extra time. Robbie Hedderman was the hero on the night, netting the 14th, decisive, spot kick.

Manager Stephen Henderson, featured on the MNS programme, was philosophical about the outcome, pointing up the Blues excellent away record, and declaring his side “undaunted” by the tie, if not the travel. “We know we can match any team on our day”, said the Blues boss, “like I said the away record is very good for us, we’re doing well in the First Division. We’ve a small squad but the Cups have been very, very kind to us this year. It’s a great day out, Sligo try to play the game properly, so we’re looking forward to it.”

The match will be played on Friday, October 23rd with a 7.35 kick off.

The other semi final pits Sporting Fingal against Bray Wanderers at the Morton Stadium on the afternoon of Sunday, October 25th.

Both games will be featured live on RTE television.

Cork City U-20s  0 – 2  Waterford United U-20s

The AOL sponsored Waterford United Under 20 team travelled to Cork on Sunday to play the acclaimed Cork City side whom the young Blues had beaten 4-1 recently at the RSC. Waterford’s attitude and approach to the game was very positive, and, following manager Paul O’Brien’s tactical team talk, the Blues took to the pitch eager for the challenge.

Clive Prendergast

Waterford had the best of the first ten minutes with centre forward Gary Keane doing well, but gradually Cork fought their way back into the game, and had their best chance of the half on 25 minutes, a powerful rising Kieran Kenneally shot, brilliantly tipped over by impressive Blues keeper Josh Byrne. But within minutes Clive Prendergast played a great through ball behind the Cork defence for Ben Ryan to race onto and crack home from 30 yards past the advancing Cork ‘keeper McEnery to give the Blues a 1-0 lead.

Gary Keane had to leave the pitch before half-time, replaced by Kenny Purcell, and the second half proved to be a tough encounter as Cork pressured Waterford looking for the equaliser, but with Byrne, Butler, Gahan, Jacques and Woodgate in fine form, the Blues held out. Ryan Foley, who replaced Prendergast at half time, was doing well out wide, and on 75 minutes Conor Barry replaced the hard working Eoin Burke. At this stage the Blues were gaining in confidence and the midfield of Paul Carey, Andrew Power, Barry and Foley were controlling the game. In the 80th minute Foley skipped past two defenders wide on the left and released Purcell through on goal, where the Cork ‘keeper brought him down for a penalty which Paul Carey slotted home to give the Blues the 2-0 win.

This was another fine display from the AOL sponsored Waterford U-20 squad, and one which nicely sets up their next match against Wexford Youths at Ferrycarrig on Sunday next, a game which now takes on much more significance as Wexford’s recent winning form has moved them up the table to a winning position.

Cork City: K McEnery, E Fitzgerald, B Murphy, J Turner, K Spillane, W Heffernan, R Morrissey, K Kenneally, J Egan, E Forde, L Collins – subs: W Tong, P Legane, A Dunlea, W Bruton, J Drennan
Manager: Liam Murphy

Waterford United: Josh Byrne, Aaron Butler, Kevin Gahan, Declan Woodgate, Eoin Burke (Conor Barry 75), LeoJacques, Clive Prendergast (Ryan Foley 45), Andrew Power, Gary Keane (Kenny Purcell 38), Ben Ryan, Paul Carey – subs: John Whitty, Paul O’Brien, Stephen O’Brien, Jack Poyntz, Moses Okoreafor
Manager: Paul O’Brien

Gary Keane, who was doing well before picking up an injuryAaron Butler, rock solid in the Blues defence