Waterford United  2 – 0  Kildare County

Waterford United wrapped up their last home game of the 2009 season with a facile 2-0 victory over Kildare County, and in fact should have won by a much greater margin, as some of their efforts on goal had even the protagonists smiling. The game lost any significance it might have had when Sporting Fingal’s win at Mervue United the previous evening made certain of the Blues’ 4th placed finish, but no doubt, had that game gone our way, the finishing on Saturday would have been somewhat more clinical.

With both Graham Cummins and David Grincell out through suspension, the Blues fielded both remaining strikers in an orthodox 4-4-2, but the first half quickly became a litany of missed chances, as the front men couldn’t convert some really rather excellent approach play, specially from the right side combination of Alan Carey and Paul Walsh. Just one minute in, Vinny Sullivan struck low after Willie John Kiely had chested down Walsh’s cross into his path, but Darren Kelly made a fine low save. And almost immediately at the other end, Trevor Bowers took advantage of Kenny Browne’s slip to race in and shoot low across Michael Devine, forcing another good save, low to his right. It was to be a rare foray forward for the visitors, however, as the Blues laid seige to the Kildare goal for most of the game.

On six minutes, Kevin Waters did well to get a reverse volley on target after a corner was punched clear, only for Liam Tiernan to head off the line. Three minutes later Gary Dunphy was set clear by Carey, but he pulled his low shot inches wide of the far post. On 14 minutes, Sullivan did brilliantly to advance into the box and take the ball around the last man, but he too pulled his shot wide of the far post. Sullivan then tried his luck with an audacious overhead lob, but didn’t quite put enough on it, and it was easy for Kelly.

On 20 minutes Kildare once more had a sight of goal, Bowers drilling in a free kick from 20 yards which rebounded off Devine’s chest, but was gathered at the second attempt. Ten minutes later the Blues missed their best chance thus far, as Sullivan was sent clear down the right channel by Walsh, waited for Kiely to find space before squaring low, only to see his strike partner drive it straight at Kelly from 6 yards out. Dunphy and David Jackson then exchanged long range efforts that tested the respective goalkeepers’ handling, before United posted the last attempt just before the half time whistle sounded, as Kiely, haring goalwards after being set clear down the left, shot across the face of goal, a fraction ahead of the inrushing Sullivan.

The second half began with the Blues pushing harder than ever, and within the first ten minutes missed three further opportunities. Kiely squandered a great chance to steal in as he was caught on his heels after great interplay between John Kearney, Waters and Sullivan, then Kearney himself went close to the near post with a long range effort that had Kelly struggling, and finally Sullivan missed a sitter of a header from six yards out after a fine cross from the left back. Kiely and Sullivan then saw a brace of chances each go a-begging as the home side poured forwards. Kiely’s last miss took place moments before his withdrawal, but his replacement Dave Warren wasn’t any luckier, as within seconds of his arrival he somehow contrived to shoot wide from six yards when the ball dropped nicely for him in a goalmouth scramble. Four minutes later though, the deadlock was finally broken, and the relief was palpable as Kevin Murray met Warren’s left sided corner 12 yards out with a towering header which flashed passed Sullivan and Kelly and inside the left post.

The impressive Walsh, now up front with Sullivan, was next to go close, making a great run into the box after being set clear from midfield, but crowded out at the last second. He was to play a pivotal role in the 88th minute second goal though, as was debutant referee Stuart Templeman, who got it spot on as Sullivan moved onto Walsh’s deft lay-off, knocking it over the top and running on to his own ball as Walsh, now in an offside position, stood stock still and let play continue around him. With the referee correctly waving play on, Sullivan gleefully moved in on goal, rounded Kelly and tapped home for a deserved score.

That was it then, the Blues at least ending their home programme on a positive note, and with just one fixture remaining to fulfill this year, at champions-elect UCD next Saturday. A disappointing end to a season that promised so much, but better news with the announcement before the game that Stephen Henderson has committed himself to the helm for another year. Preparations for 2010’s promotion-winning season start now!

Waterford United: Michael Devine; Alan Carey, Kevin Murray, Kenny Browne, John Kearney; Paul Walsh, Gary Dunphy (Kieran Fitzgerald 82), Seamus Long (Stephen Grant 91), Kevin Waters; Willie John Kiely (Dave Warren 70), Vinny Sullivan – subs: Kevin Burns, Declan Woodgate

Goals: Murray 74, Sullivan 88

Booked: Kearney, Kiely

Kildare County: Darren Kelly (Sean Geoghegan 84), Keith Walsh (Pierce O’Connor 84), Eoin Powderly, Liam Tiernan, Davy Byrne, Craig Purcell (John Cashin 84), Christy Doran, David Jackson, Colm Daly, Philly Hughes, Trevor Bowers – subs: Colin Coleman, Cathal Brady

Booked: Bowers

Referee: Stuart Templeman (Kerry)

Waterford United are delighted to announce that, following a meeting today, manager Stephen Henderson has committed to Waterford United for the 2010 season.

The club are glad to put to bed the speculation that has been rife in recent weeks, as Hendo put pen to paper to extend his rolling contract by another year. It is brilliant news for the club, hugely important in terms of continuity and growth as the manager stays on to carry on the tremendous work done so far this year, and also significant in that he can begin to plan for next season at the earliest opportunity.

Waterford United are also delighted to unveil John O’Sullivan as the new club chairman. John is well known for the prodigious amount of work and support he has given to the Blues in the past, and it is a hugely fitting appointment.

As part of a system of rotation among the management committee, John was unanimously voted to the chair, and he will be joined as vice chairman by Sam White. Both, along with Tony Burke, are pictured here with this year’s Munster Senior Cup.

The club would like give huge thanks to Chris Everett for his sterling efforts in the chair for the last two years, and the work that he, and all of the committees, continue to do.

Some more positive news comes with the announcement that the Paddy Winters selection committee are tonight delighted to award the Paddy Winters Memorial Waterford United Clubman of the Year for 2009 to Chris Smyth.

Chris, pictured here at the 3 Ireland launch with Sam White of WUFC and Robert Finnegan of 3 Ireland, has done absolutely sterling work all season in the Blues cause, combining tireless efforts in fundraising, sponsorship and organisation with his daily work with Perennial Freight.

Congratulations Chris, all at the club are delighted with the news, the award is richly deserved!

Chris receives the award before the Kildare game from Paul Winters, Francie Conroy and Ger Nolan (Hasbro Ireland, sponsors), new chairman John O'Sullivan, and 2010 Blues boss Stephen Henderson

Waterford United  0 - 1  Shelbourne

A wonderful display from Waterford United was not enough as they somehow lost to Shelbourne at the RSC tonight in a pulsating match in which former Blues netminder Dean Delaney produced at least a half-dozen saves of the highest quality. Waterford dominated the game for virtually its entirety, and produced some outstanding attacking football in spells, but in the end it counted for naught. In a match which could easily have ended 5 or 6-2 to the home side, it was the familiar scoreline of 1-0 to Shelbourne that remained at the final whistle, which sees United now unable to make the play-off position barring a mathematical miracle.

What turned out to be a superb first half got off to a lively, if scrappy start, with plenty of activity at both ends, though ominously it was the visitors that threatened more in the early exchanges, and Kevin Murray had already been called upon several times at the heart of the Blues defence before Shelbourne took the lead 11 minutes in. David McAllister’s ball into the right side of the box was perfect for Tony Griffiths to fire in low under the advancing Michael Devine from a tight angle. United hit back with a brace of viciously inswinging free kicks, Alan Carey from the right, and John Kearney from the left, that both forced Delaney into action to turn away to safety.

On 17 minutes, a Vinny Sullivan slide-rule pass down the left channel almost set Kearney away as the Blues began to get on top in the game, but Delaney was quick to get out off his line. Five minutes later Sullivan saw his attempt to send Cummins through end up back at his feet 18 yards out, but he shot low inches wide of the left upright. On the half hour mark, Paul Walsh found Graham Cummins with a fine ball in from the right, the big striker shooting low first time from the corner of the box, forcing a fine save low to his right from Delaney. And two minutes later, Carey set Kiely up in a similar position, a good take and turn, and a fine volley from 25 yards whistling inches over the top.

Four minutes from the break the Blues thought they had managed to pull it back, as nice play up the right touchline saw Carey swing in a deep cross to the back post. Cummins tracked it all the way, and buried his header past Delaney from six yards, but the flag went up instantly to deny the home side. The whistle went on a half that was almost all United, but, as so often before, with Shelbourne in the lead.

The second half saw Shelbourne prove more difficult to get through, as Dermot Keely’s half-time team talk looked to have steadied the ship for the visitors, but it wasn’t long before the Blues were back on the attack once more. Cummins had an effort fly high, wide and handsome from the breakdown of another free kick in a dangerous position, and at the other end Anto Flood hit the target with a header, but it was straight at Devine. On 62 minutes United saw their best chance of the match go a-begging, as they broke quickly in numbers, Sullivan at full tilt down the left wing, whipping a superb cross in to Kiely six yards out, who stabbed it goalwards only to see Delaney produce a truly wonderful reaction save to claw the ball up and over the crossbar.

 On 70 minutes Cummins did well to find the increasingly influential Walsh out wide on the right, and his well delivered centre was met with a looping header by Kenny Browne at the back post, but there was just too much on it as it dropped over Delaney but also the crossbar. Three minutes later Cummins found himself unmarked in the area, but he delayed his shot by a fraction, allowing Robbie Hedderman time to get across to block. As the Blues piled on the pressure, Seamus Long did brilliantly well on 80 minutes, picking up on a loose ball and skipping past two challenges before sidefooting inches wide of the far post from the edge of the area.

Unbelievably, as the home side pressed forward, a swift Shelbourne counter saw Derek Doyle meet a right wing cross totally unmarked, his header crashing back off the upright with Devine stranded. But the home side hardly paused for breath, pushing on with determination, though with little in the way of further chances until deep into injury time, when once again the football Gods showed that it wasn’t to be Waterford’s night. Sullivan did well down the right, pulling it back for Dave Warren, who scuffed his attempt, but only into the path of Cummins, ten yards out, who hammered it off the underside of the crossbar and out. As the attack was renewed, Kearney forced another wonder save from Delaney from close range, and with it went the Blues’ last chance of Premier football for next year.

Waterford United: Michael Devine; Alan Carey, Kevin Murray, Kenny Browne, John Kearney; Paul Walsh (David Grincell 85), Gary Dunphy (Stephen Grant 83), Seamus Long, Vinny Sullivan; Graham Cummins, Willie John Kiely (Dave Warren 76) - subs: Kevin Burns, Kevin Waters

Goals:

Booked: Long, Kiely

Shelbourne: Dean Delaney, Michael Synnott, Robbie Hedderman, Alan Keely (David Crawley 42), Damien Delaney, Mark O’Brien, David McGill, David Cassidy (Derek Doyle 73), Tony Griffiths (Colin O’Brien 82), Anto Flood, David McAllister- subs: Vinne Whelan, Stephen Quigley

Goals: Griffiths 11

Booked: Flood, McAllister, Hedderman

Referee: Graham Kelly (Cork)

Waterford United’s cup odyssey is now at an end, but they are still in the hunt for promotion to the Premier Division, and can take another step towards that when they entertain Shelbourne on Tuesday night (KO 7.45pm).
 
Defeat in the FAI Ford Cup semi-final at Sligo Rovers last Friday was a hard blow to take, but the Blues can take great heart from the performance, especially in the first half when they were very much the better side. Rovers are a team packed with outstanding League of Ireland players and are a far better side than their league position would suggest, but they had to be at their very best to edge United out for that place in the final.
 
And so, despite their third defeat in four games, the Blues can face into the meeting with Shelbourne with some confidence. The leggy lethargy on display in recent matches was absent at the Showgrounds, as the performance levels were upped considerably, and United will be hopeful of keeping that same level of performance for the remaining three games. A win over Shelbourne will be a tall order, however, as Waterford’s recent record against the Reds is not too hot, having only managed two draws against the Dublin outfit in the six games between this season and last, and none at all this year.
 
Even with a victory on Tuesday night, the Blues will still be dependant on other results going their way before the regular season is out to give themselves a chance of promotion, but all they can do now is win their remaining matches and see what fate has in store for them. They should be at near full strength for Tuesday’s game, as goalkeeper Michael Devine, full back Alan Carey and striker Willie John Kiely all return from suspension, with Devine, at least, likely to start despite the 19-year-old stand-in Kevin Burns’ heroics between the sticks against Sligo. Carey is also returning from a leg injury, which the extra few days off over the weekend will have cleared up. Winger Paul Walsh is also available for selection having been Cup-tied on Friday.
 

Suspensions:
none
 

Injury Update:
Paul McCarthy (groin – end of season)

Alan Carey (calf – doubtful)
 

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

Form:
League: DWLWW WWWWW DWLLW WDWWW WLDDW WDLLW
All: WDWLW WWWWW WWWDW WLWLW WWLDW WWWWD WLDDD WWLWD LLWL
 

Last Match:    Sligo Rovers 1 (Blinkhorn 75) – Waterford United 0
 

Previous Meetings:
05 Jun 09       L       Shelbourne   v   Waterford United           1 – 0
 20 Mar 09      L       Waterford United   v   Shelbourne          0 – 1
07 Nov 08      L       Waterford United  v  Shelbourne            0 – 1
22 Sep 08      L       Shelbourne    v    Waterford United        0 – 0
04 Jul 08        L       Waterford United  v  Shelbourne            1 – 1
25 Apr 08       L       Shelbourne  v  Waterford United            2 – 0
 

Results This Season:
23 Oct 09          a            Sligo Rovers (FAIFC)              0-1       L
20 Oct 09          h            Mervue United (LOIFD)           1-0      W
16 Oct 09          a            Limerick FC (LOIFD)               1-2       L
09 Oct 09          h            Monaghan United (LOIFD)       0-2       L
06 Oct 09          h            Shelbourne (LOIFD)               p-p       postponed
03 Oct 09          a            Finn Harps (LOIFD)                1-1       D
29 Sep 09          h            Longford Town (LOIFD)          1-0       W
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            Kildare 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
 

Remaining Matches:
31 Oct 09           h           Kildare County (LOIFD)
07 Nov 09           a           UCD (LOIFD)
 
 

Betting:
Waterford: 9/5
Shelbourne: 5/4
Draw: 11/5

A huge thank you from all at the club to the large travelling army that made the trek to the Showgrounds last Friday night. It was great to see, and hear, such colour and good-natured support for the team, and it was hugely appreciated. All involved were a credit to the club and the region.

It must be said that the directors and management committee were disturbed, to say the least of it, to see the way our fans were treated on the night. A full investigation will be conducted into the incidents before and during the game, and letters of complaint are being sent both to Sligo Rovers FC and to the FAI over the inability of the host club to provide suitable space and seating for the travelling fans, and club officials, and the totally unnecessary unpleasantness that ensued from this.

Thanks also to our event controller Mark Dunne who was able to substantially ease the situation before it got out of hand.

Sligo Rovers  1 – 0  Waterford United

(This is just a report of the match on the night. Other events have been reported, and are being dealt with, elsewhere.)

Waterford United bowed out of this year’s FAI Ford Cup after a brave and battling performance at the Showgrounds saw them come up just a fraction short of their highly fancied rivals Sligo Rovers.

It had all the makings of a classic Cup semifinal - packed ground, carnival atmosphere, reds against blues, United v Rovers, game of two halves, one goal in it, winner takes all – and it didn’t disappoint. Almost from the off Waterford set about their full-time opponents, and after a very early scare, when Rafaele Cretaro forced an acrobatic first minute tip over the bar from Kevin Burns, it was all United. On 12 minutes Seamus Long moved on to a Graham Cummins knock down and volleyed goalwards from 25 yards, but caught it too flush, when the outside of the boot might have had Ciaran Kelly scrambling.

Three minutes later Kelly was scrambling, but was second to Cummins in reaching Vinny Sullivan’s crisply clipped cross from the left. Cummins met it too well though, thumping the header inches over the top. Cretaro again went close with a left-foot effort on the half hour mark, but it was the blue shirts that were in the ascendant, Sligo’s frustration indicated by yellow cards for the ineffectual Conor O’Grady and Danny Ventre (Ventre was to be subbed off before the hour), but try as they might the visitors were unable to fashion the breakthrough goal they deserved, which was ultimately to cost them dearly.

Initially, upon the restart, it looked like more of the same, as United kept on the offensive, and John Kearney made room for a well struck effort from 20 yards that Kelly did well to save low to his right. David Grincell was first to the rebound, and stood a cross up to the far post for Sullivan to send in a goalbound header, only for the ball to strike Alan Keane, fairly on the chest as the TV pictures later confirmed. Minutes later Kevin Waters whipped in a cross that was met two yards out by Sullivan, arriving at full pelt, but he lead with the arm, and saw a yellow card for his troubles as the goal was disallowed.

As the hour mark came and went, Paul Cook’s half time team talk, and especially the introduction of Owen Morrison at the break, saw the home team start to gain the upper hand, and once they began to play the kind of football they were always capable of, the Blues were finding the going much tougher. Rovers carved out a series of chances with some superb approach play, and Kevin Burns produced a fine save to deny Morrison on 56 minutes, saving wonderfully with his feet after a neat reverse pass from Cretaro. Kevin Murray was on hand to block another Morrison effort moments later, and Kenny Browne deflected Eoin Doyle’s rasping shot just wide of his own goal as the screw was turned.

O’Grady, much improved on his first half form, saw his long range attempt whistle inches wide, before Burns, defying his doubters with the performance of his young career, produced a truly astonishing save to somehow turn Gavin Peers’ point blank header over the bar. Matthew Blinkhorn was next to try his hand, ghosting in between two Blues defenders, but not quite getting to Rommy Boco’s right wing cross and heading wide of the far post. It was a warning of what was to come though, as on 75 minutes the same player did beat Long and Browne to Morrison’s pin-point centre to bury his header beyond the helpless Burns.

With the home side relieved to have the all-important breakthrough goal, they set about holding their lead by keeping the ball as much as possible, making it very difficult for United to force their way back into the game. A final flurry in the last five minutes saw the Blues, with four men up front, throw everything at their hosts, but they couldn’t fashion the chance to claw the game back, and when the final whistle went it was Rovers who were deservedly going through to the final, to face Sporting Fingal as it transpired. A bitter pill for Waterford after another great Cup run, but they should be rightly proud of their performance on the night.

Sligo Rovers: Ciaran Kelly, Danny Ventre (Richie Ryan 56), Joe Kendrick, Gavin Peers, Alan Keane, Conor O’Grady, Brian Cash (Owen Morrison 45), Romuald Boco, Matthew Blinkhorn, Rafaele Cretaro, Eoin Doyle – subs: Dean Marshall, Rob Turner, Martin Nicholas Camano, Darren Meenan, Michael Schlingermann

Goals: Blinkhorn 75

Booked: O’Grady, Ventre

Waterford United: Kevin Burns; Seamus Long, Kevin Murray, Kenny Browne, John Kearney; Kevin Waters (Gary Dunphy 81), Stephen Grant, Graham Cummins, Dave Warren; David Grincell (Declan Woodgate 84), Vinny Sullivan – subs: Josh Byrne, Kieran Fitzgerald, Joe Mulcahy, Paul Carey

Booked: Kearney, Sullivan

Referee: Damien Hancock (Dublin)

After Tuesday’s victory over Mervue United that steadied the ship somewhat, a more confident Waterford United travel to the Showgrounds to take on Sligo Rovers in the FAI Ford Cup semi-final (KO 7.35pm, live on RTE2).

Though Sligo have had the upper hand in the last few years, three wins to one, with four drawn, United have found the Showgrounds to be quite a hospitable place in recent encounters. Beaten there in the first tie of the 2006 season, they managed a draw in the next three meetings at the famous old ground (including a penalties victory in the FAI Cup third round tie in 2007), and took all three points in their last visit, towards the end of that same year.

Though very much the underdogs, reflected in the 6-1 odds available in some bookmakers, the Blues will benefit from Tuesday’s win, their first in four games, and will travel to the Northwest in a positive frame of mind. Striker Willie John Kiely is one of the three key players suspended for the match, but both David Grincell and Vinny Sullivan have scored in the last two games, and the team will welcome back top scorer Graham Cummins from a two-match ban, so Stephen Henderson will have several attacking options at his disposal.

He must plan without two further key players in right full back Alan Carey, and inspirational goalkeeper Michael Devine, both of whom, like Kiely, have accumulated one yellow card too many over the course of the season. Carey’s absence will have less of an impact on the side, as he has spent the last couple of matches on the treatment table, but Devine’s suspension will mean a rare start for rookie keeper Kevin Burns. Burns has proved himself a more than able replacement when called upon this season, however, and a clean sheet against Mervue last Tuesday will have done him the power of good.

In addition, right winger Paul Walsh is cup-tied, having played a third round match for Limerick before being signed in July, and defender Seamus Long is a slight doubt after going off injured on Tuesday night, though he should feature. With seven places to be filled on the bench, it is likely that a couple of the Blues Under-20 players will be called upon to make the step up, in particular Republic of Ireland U-17 keeper Josh Byrne.

Suspensions:
Michael Devine (1 match – yellow cards)
Alan Carey (1 match – yellow cards)
Willie John Kiely (1 match – yellow cards)

Injury Update:
Paul McCarthy (groin – end of season)
Seamus Long (slight doubt)

Other Absentees:
Paul Walsh (cup-tied)

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

Form:
League: DWLWW WWWWW DWLLW WDWWW WLDDW WDLLW
All: WDWLW WWWWW WWWDW WLWLW WWLDW WWWWD WLDDD WWLWD LLW

Last Match:    Waterford United 1 (Grincell 48) – Mervue United 0

Previous Meetings:
20 Oct 07       L       Sligo Rovers   v   Waterford United           1 – 2
21 Aug 07      C        Sligo Rovers   v   Waterford United           2 – 2 (3-4 on penalties)
17 Aug 07      C        Waterford United   v   Sligo Rovers           1 – 1
20 Jul 07        L        Waterford United   v   Sligo Rovers           1 – 2
27 Apr 07       L        Sligo Rovers   v   Waterford United           1 – 1
14 Oct 06      L        Sligo Rovers   v   Waterford United            0 – 0
14 Jul 06        L       Waterford United   v   Sligo Rovers            1 – 2
15 Apr 06       L        Sligo Rovers   v   Waterford United           3 – 1

Results This Season:
20 Oct 09          h            Mervue United (LOIFD)           1-0      W
16 Oct 09          a            Limerick FC (LOIFD)               1-2       L
09 Oct 09          h            Monaghan United (LOIFD)       0-2       L
06 Oct 09          h            Shelbourne (LOIFD)               p-p       postponed
03 Oct 09          a            Finn Harps (LOIFD)                1-1       D
29 Sep 09          h            Longford Town (LOIFD)          1-0       W
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            Kildare 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 Matches:
27 Oct 09           h           Shelbourne (LOIFD)
31 Oct 09           h           Kildare County (LOIFD)
07 Nov 09           a           UCD (LOIFD)

Betting:
Sligo: 4/9
Waterford: 6/1
Draw: 13/5

All at the club send their best wishes to Blues fan of many years standing, and long-time IBSC member, Barry O’Toole, who is currently unwell in hospital.

Get well soon Barry, we hope to see you back supporting the lads as soon as possible.

Waterford United’s possible replay date for their FAI Ford Cup Semi final game against Sligo Rovers has been changed. The fixture will now take place on Tuesday evening October 27th with a 7.45pm kick off.

The original date was to have been Monday October 26th at 3pm. Should the game finish in a draw on Friday evening in Sligo, there will not be extra time. However, should the replay finish all square there will be extra time and a penalty shootout if required.

 If a replay is not required, the Waterford will still have a game on Tuesday evening October 27th as they will face Shelbourne in a rearranged league fixture. The kick off will be 7.45pm.