This weekend sees the Munster Derby in the First Division as Waterford United host bottom of the table Cobh Ramblers at the RSC. Their earlier meeting this season saw both sides play out a forgettable 0-0 draw at St Colman’s Park. This was one of only two points picked up by the Rams all season as they sit rooted to the foot of the table. Waterford are currently sixth in the table but a win could see them climb to third.
The Blues head into the game on the back of a 3-2 loss at home to Longford Town. Goals from Jack Doherty and Willie John Kiely weren’t enough as Longford left with all three points. Cobh were also on the losing side last week after a 5-1 hammering at the hands of Galway FC. A first senior goal by George Gill proved to be in vain with Galway running out easy winners.
In the Waterford camp, Peter White remains injured with an ankle problem and will miss the game. Vinny Sullivan is suspended for the clash after picking up four yellow cards. There are also doubts over the fitness of goalkeeper Matthew Connor and ex-Rambler Conor Meade.
Cobh are still without Andrew Bhandarkar due to a groin injury. Captain Martin Deady is suspended after getting sent off against Galway. Eoin Hastings will face a late fitness test after missing the game last time out. Quite a few Ramblers players have Leaving Cert commitments and will miss the next few games. Jonathan Creamer, Cian Murphy, Sean O’Mahony and Rob Lynch will all miss out. Finally young Rams winger Ryan Goldsmith is away with the Ireland u19 squad for their European Qualifiers and will be unavailable.
Cobh and Waterford games haven’t been the most exciting years with an average of 1.2 goals per game in their last six meetings. Ramblers have found it very difficult this season and the home side will fancy their chances on Friday.
The Cobh squad is looking stretched at the moment and the youth of their team is starting to show as players are forced to miss games due to the Leaving Cert. Waterford have no such problems and this puts them in a good position.
Ramblers boss Martin Cambridge had this to say ahead of the tie, “This is a local derby for us and we’ll be going all out for the win. The players have been training well recently and are concentrating fully on the game. We have to pick ourselves up after the recent bad run but the players know that they are better than this and that the win is coming. ”
Cobh will gave fire in their bellies against their rivals and although it is unlikely, they may just sneak a result against a Blues side yet to hit top form. Both sides play good attacking football and this should make for an entertaining tie in the South-East
Waterford United
Injured: Peter White
Doubtful: Matthew Conor, Conor Meade
Suspensions: Vinny Sullivan
Cobh Ramblers
Injured: Andrew Bhandarkar, Roy Kenny
Doubtful: Eoin Hastings, Jonathan Creamer, Sean O’Mahony, Cian Murphy, Rob Lynch
Suspension: Martin Deady
International Duty: Ryan Goldsmith
Referee: Michael O’Connor
Assistants: Michelle O’Neill, Lee Bevans
Fourth Official: Andrew Mullally
Preview by Thomas Stafford
