Waterford FC kick-off their 2024 League of Ireland Premier Division season with Shelbourne the visitors to the RSC on Friday, and we have all the details you need ahead of the game.
Fixture: Waterford FC vs Shelbourne FC
Competition: SSE Airtricity Mens Premier Division
Date: Friday 16th February 2024
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Venue: RSC
The RSC opens at 6pm this evening, spectators can enjoy a wide range of refreshments in the Fanzone including the brand new Blues Kitchen.
The Blues Kitchen will sell a tasty selection of food including nachos, sausage blaas, chilli and baked potatoes. There will also be ice cream, crepes, doughnuts and a sweet shop available as well.
There will be entertainment in the form of inflatables in the Fanzone for Blues fans of all ages to enjoy.
WLR FM will be live broadcasting from the Fanzone and will be providing full commentary of the match.
Waterford FC:
After two-years in the First-Division, the Blues return to the top-flight of Irish Football for 2024 after a Promotion/Relegation Play-Off Final win against Cork City in at the beginning of last November. A strenuous pre-season which included a week-long trip to sister club Fleetwood Town now has the squad ready for the start of the 2024 Premier Division campaign which gets underway this Friday against Shelbourne FC.
Keith Long kept his core players last year, along with the new additions of some exciting and experienced players for the beginning of the season – with Darragh Leahy, Robbie McCourt, Pádraig Amond & Grant Horton among the names to be lining out in Blue at the RSC for the coming season.
Keith Longs side have been backed by the Blues supporters hugely during the off-season, with record season-ticket sales, our new home & away jerseys selling-out in record time, along with a great backing by the local community helping the club gear towards the commencement of our season.
Speaking ahead of the game, Head Coach Keith long is excited at the prospect of Premier Division football returning to the RSC, commenting:
“We’re really excited for the league kicking off on Friday with the club back in the Premier Division. It’s going to be a big challenge but it’s great to be starting the season playing in front of a capacity crowd at the RSC on Friday night.
“Shels is a tough game to start but it’ll be a great test against a top four side; they’re a well-organised team and have quality players.
“Our supporters have been great. We want to get them excited about coming to the RSC and we want to give them something to shout about in terms of performance. We know if they see us giving everything for the jersey, they’ll be with us all the way.”
Team News: Cameron Cresswell and Christie Pattisson are doubts for the Blues.
Shelbourne FC:
After a strong finish to the 2023 season that saw the Tolka Park side return to European football in 2024, the Reds will look to continue that form at the start of the new League of Ireland season this Friday at the RSC.
Reds manager Damien Duff has been busy in the off-season transfer window, bringing in huge experience into the side with Sean Gannon & Keith Ward joining the club. A name familiar to most Waterford fans in the Shelbourne side for 2024 is John Martin, who joined the Reds from Dundalk after two years with the Lilywhites.
The sides were in action against each other earlier in pre-season, where the Reds prevailed on a two-one scoreline in a game that saw Pádraig Amond net his first goal for his new club.
Ticket Information for the Game:
Limited home-end tickets remain for the game, with all seated tickets SOLD OUT days leading up to the game. Remaining standing tickets are available in our Club Shop & online at waterfordfc.ie, along with any remaining tickets available to purchase at the gate on match night.
All away-end tickets have been sold directly through Shelbourne FC
Ticket prices for the game are as follows:
Adults: €20
Over 65: €14
Young Adults (18-21): €14
13-17: €12
U12: €7
Hospitality: €40
For further ticketing information, you can contact our ticketing team by ringing 051-271160, or by emailing tickets@waterfordfc.ie.
Follow The Game:
Supporters of both sides can watch the game live on loitv.ie from 7:30pm tomorrow at the RSC, with match passes & season passes available to purchase now.
Live in-game updates will be provided across our social media channels (Facebook, Instagram & X), along with pre-game and post-match content.
