Match Preview

Airtricity League 1st Division.

Waterford United  vs Monaghan United

Last season these two sides contested the play offs for promotion and it looks like something similar could be on the cards again this year.  In Monaghan United’s opening game of the season at Gortakeegan in a very tight game where a share of the points were on the cards until Monaghan got the all important second goal in the 88^th minute.  On this occasion Waterford have home advantage but in the past couple of seasons Monaghan have performed well there where they have taken the larger share of the points.

Roddy Collins should have a full panel to select from.  His side performance had dipped a bit but they appear to be getting it together again with a strong finish after a disastrous start against Limerick and a comprehensive performance in Athlone.

Former Waterford United player Keith Quinn has been training with Monaghan for the past week and no doubt Roddy will have gleaned a few insights from him about his former team.

Again Monaghan are well capable of getting at least a share of the spoils.

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Injuries

None

Suspensions:

None

Last  5 Results.

Next Five Games

Manager Roddy says “ Now that we have completed our first round of games for the season I have a good understanding of where our side rates.  I believe we did well in the opening series of games.  Some might be disappointed at the points we leaked, but I like to look on the positive side and consider the points won, for example getting all three at Tolka Park.  We are still close to the top, but no doubt the two teams ahead of us either Shelbourne or Cork City have to be most people’s favorites for automatic promotion.  Our opponents this week Waterford United will most definitely be in contention for the Premier Division.  Last season we were in the play off against them, at this point it looks like something similar ! again this season.

I was most satisfied with our performance away to Athlone.  I thought we played fine football from start to finish; indeed we managed to have the same style of performance in the final quarter of the previous game against Limerick, so it’s looking good for the next series.

When Waterford dropped to the 1^st Division a few seasons ago I didn’t think then that they would be still there, each season since they have been contenders for promotion only to let it slip in the latter stages. They are very difficult to get a result against at the RSC. Nonetheless Monaghan United have been one of the few sides that have done well there in recent seasons.  No doubt Stephen Henderson will be out to avenge the last result between the sides at Gortakeegan,he would have been disappointed on the night in not at least getting a share of the points but our second on 88 m! inutes put paid to that.

I have what to me is a luxury, for the first time this season I am able to start with the same eleven two weeks in a row. I am looking forwardto a good performance from the lads and hopefully we can replicate our performance from the last game but it |won’t be easy.

Yours in football,

Roddy Collins.