Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup Second Round
Cork City -v- Waterford FC
Monday, 21th August 2023
Kick-Off: 7.45pm
Referee: Eoghan O’Shea
A Sports Direct FAI Cup Quarter Final spot is on offer in Monday’s rearranged Munster Derby as Waterford FC face Cork City in Turner Cross.
With the match having falling to the weather on Friday, it’s another trip to Cork this Monday looking for Cup progression.
The sides met in the Munster Senior Cup earlier in the season but Monday’s game sees the sides compete for progress in the Sports Direct FAI Cup.
The Blues come into the game after a 2-2 draw last Friday night at home to Galway United. Ronan Coughlan scored his 3oth and 31st league goals of the season but a late stoppage time goal salvaged a point for the visitors.
Despite that, Keith Long’s side are unbeaten in seven and will look to build on a good performance last weekend against Premier Division opposition this Monday.
Cup progression to the second round came after a 5-0 win away to St Michael’s last month; Ronan Coughlan, Sam Perry, Connor Parsons, Cameron Cresswell and Romeo Akachukwu on the scoresheet.
Opponents Cork City come into the game after a 1-1 draw last Friday night at home to UCD, despite Cian Bargary striking a first-half lead goal – leaving Cork second from bottom in the Premier Division table. A 2-0 win last month away to Treaty United ensured progression to the second round of the cup this weekend.
From The Dugout: Speaking ahead of Monday’s match, head coach Keith Long said:
“It’s a big Cup game and we’re looking forward to a really good Munster derby. Hopefully we’ll have a great travelling support behind the team again because we’ll need that going to Turners Cross, and it’s an opportunity to show what a big football club Waterford FC is – with a proud tradition.
“Cork are operating at a different level to us week-to-week so we’ve got to make sure we can iron out some of the problems we’ve had, go attack the game, trust and believe in ourselves and give a really good account of ourselves.
“We’re underdogs but it’s a game we’re really looking forward to.”
Team News: Harry Nevin and Barry Baggley miss out through injury, Dean McMenamy, Shane Griffin and Darragh Power are all continuing their recoveries from injury.
