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