Waterford United travel to Limerick this Friday (KO 7.45pm) looking to extend their run of four wins on the spin.

The Blues will be also looking to avenge the 5-1 mauling at Jackman Park last October that pretty much ended their title challenge. United had dealt quite comfortably with Limerick up to that point, putting three past the Shannonsiders in the three previous meetings, but Mike Kerley’s side suddenly hit form for the last series of games that included that match. Very much like Waterford, however, it has been all change at Limerick, as alterations to the squad and management team mean that two very different sides will face each other on Friday. The Blues have a 100% away record, with three wins out of three, and Limerick, though undefeated at home, have been a touch inconsistent, beating Mervue United and Kildare County comfortably, but only managing scoreless draws against Athlone Town and Monaghan United.

Last weekend Stephen Henderson’s side put Monaghan to the sword, rattling six past the Ulstermen without reply, and capitalising on slips by both UCD and Shelbourne to move up to third place in the table, just two points behind the leaders. Following on from victories over Finn Harps, Longford and Athlone, the four-game winning streak is already one better than anything achieved last season. Makeshift striker Graham Cummins is on fire at the moment, with six goals in two games, and Willie John Kiely is in close attendance, also netting on the night to make it 5 goals in 6 appearances. All in all, Waterford have their tails very much up heading into this game, but they know only too well how things can take a sudden and very severe turn for the worse, and so will be taking this game for exactly what it is, a very tough challenge.

The Blues are coming off the back of another tough encounter on Wednesday night last, when they saw off Clonmel Town at Dr Pat O’Callaghan Park by two goals to one to advance to the final of the Munster Senior Cup. David Grincell boosted Henderson’s striking options by scoring both goals, but midfielder Paul Carey limped off very early on in the game and so must be rated as very doubtful for Friday. Kieran Fitzgerald served a suspension for an earlier red card in the competition, and returns to the squad for the league match.

Henderson Quotes:
On the Mons match:
“I told you recently that Graham did not like playing up front but I have won him around.”
“I enjoyed working with him at Cobh, and just like all the players I brought to this club he is loving every minute of it here at the RSC.”
“I have to agree that his header was out of this world. You don’t see enough of that in football these days. It was a great cross by Alan [Carey] and goals like that excite supporters.”
“We had a long hard chat at half time. Don’t get me wrong, there was no shouting or roaring, but we knew we should have had the game wrapped up at that stage.”
“Thankfully they took on board what was said and when Graham scored two minutes into the second half I knew we would score quite a few goals.”
“At times however we began to showboat and we tried to gift them a goal or two and I don’t like that. That sort of stuff will have to be stamped out.”
“We play Clonmel Town in the Munster Senior Cup semi-final on Wednesday [the Blues won 2-1] and we will go all out to win that game before we get our minds on the game in Limerick.”

 
Suspensions:
none

Injury Update:
Paul Carey (very doubtful)

Top Scorers:
6 -     Graham Cummins
5 -     Willie John Kiely
2 -     Gary Dunphy
1 -     Paul McCarthy

Form:
League: DWLWW WW
All: (WWW)WD WLWWW W

Last Match: Waterford United 6 (Cummins 24, 47, 55, 88, Kiely 59, McCarthy 75)  -  Monaghan United 0

Previous Meetings:
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:
18 Mar 09           h            Monaghan United (LOIFD)     6-0       W
11 Mar 09           a            Finn Harps (LOIFD)              3-1       W
04 Mar 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

Betting:
Limerick: 6/4
Waterford: 6/4
Draw: 11/5