Waterford United’s final match of their pre-season programme will now be against Sporting Fingal this Saturday, Feb 27th.

Originally down to play Cork City, that club’s demise left a gap to be filled, and the Ravens came to the rescue last night, providing strong Premier Division opposition, and one final stern test, before the season kicks off in earnest next weekend.

As arrangements were already in place, the game will go ahead in Cahir on Saturday at 3.00pm.

Meanwhile, the Blues enjoyed a comfortable 6-0 victory over a West Waterford / East Cork League selection at Tallow last night.

In a somewhat one-sided first half, the league XI gifted United a two own-goal head start, firstly as a centre back headed a cross to his own net under pressure from Willie John Kiely, and then, in ‘what happened next?’ fashion, when the Abbeyside hitman struck the inside of the post with a rasping low drive, the ball flying across the goal line, cannoning back out off the inside of the other post, to rebound off an inrushing defender and nestle in the net. A hat-trick for Vinny Sullivan, the first capping a flowing nine pass move, and the third set up with a neat ball over the top from Kiely, meant the Blues were five up at half time.

A better display from the home side after the break saw things tightened up considerably. Kevin Burns, deputising for the League selection in the second 45, pulled off a fine save from Kevin Waters’ 30-yard drive, before making way for Josh Byrne to see out the match between the sticks. Late on sub Gary Keane made it six to wrap up the scoring for the Blues.

Team: Chris Konopka; Alan Carey, John Hayes (Paul Carey 60), Kevin Murray, John Kearney (Paul McCarthy 45); Timmy Purcell (Gareth Cambridge 65), Seamus Long, James O’Sullivan (Gary Dunphy 45), Liam Kearney (Kevin Waters 65); Willie John Kiely (Gary Keane 75), Vinny Sullivan (David Grincell 70)

Kevin Burns & Josh Byrne split the 2nd half for the League selection.