SSE Airtricity Promotion / Relegation Play-Off
Waterford FC -v- Cork City
Friday, 10th November 2023
Kick-Off: 7.45pm
Referee: Damien MacGraith
The biggest game of the season arrives this Friday night as Waterford FC face Cork City for a place in the 2024 Premier Division.
Friday night sees the culmination of a nine-month season which began in Ferrycarrig with a 3-0 win, and ends with a match to decide the final make-up for next year’s Premier Division season.
Waterford FC come into the game having seen off Athlone Town and Cobh Ramblers in the Play-Offs so far – and with Cork City the final obstacle to achieving the season’s promotion goal.
Keith Long’s side come into the game full of confidence after recent results and Play-Off progression.
A 2-1 AET win over Cobh on Saturday ensured a Promotion / Relegation Play-Off spot for Keith Long’s side, having finished second in the First Division table after 36 matches.
From The Dugout: Speaking ahead of Friday’s match, head coach Keith Long said:
“We’re really looking forward to the game. It’s going to be really tough against a good Cork side but the last few games have shown the fight in this team and the character of the players we have here, and that’ll be important on Friday night.
“It’s been a quick turnaround [having played Saturday] but we got recovery factored into this week as well as our preparation ahead of Friday’s match.
“We come in to the game in a good frame of mind on the back of some decent displays, but we know we’ll have to raise our game on Friday and put in a top-level performance.
“Our fans have followed us all over the country all season and to see the crowd in Turners Cross last week was brilliant. We know they’ll be there again with tickets selling fast, and the players and staff can’t wait to hear that Blues roar again on Friday night in Tallaght.”
Team News: The Blues have no injury concerns ahead of Friday’s match.
