The Blues welcome Athlone Town AFC to the RSC this Friday for our Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup Third Round meeting, and we have all the details you need ahead of the game!
Fixture: Waterford FC vs Athlone Town AFC
Competition: Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup Third Round
Date: Friday 16th August 2204
Venue: RSC
Kick-off: 7:45pm
WATERFORD FC
The Blues welcome First Division outfit Athlone Town AFC to the RSC on Friday for our Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup Third Round meeting. After defeating Cockhill Celtic FC in the second-round, the Blues will look to make it into the Fourth Round of this years competition by defeating Athlone tomorrow evening.
A two-one win against Cockhill Celtic put Waterford’s name in the hat the the third round – but the Blues were made to work hard for the win. The Donegal side took the lead after 13 minutes through Luke Rudden, before Gbemi Arubi levelled proceedings nine minutes later. Captain on the night Ryan Burke headed home a deep Darragh Power cross three minutes into the second-half to give the Blues their passage into the third round.
Keith Long’s side head into Friday’s game on the back of a stunning second-half performance in Dalymount Park last Friday, as the Blues picked up all three points with a 3-2 win. After trailing two-nil at half-time, an early second-half own-goal from Adam McDonnell & Darragh Power strike on the hour mark got the Blues level, before summer signing Sam Glenfield netted his first goal for his new club with an emphatic strike with ten minutes to go to give the Blues the lead. The hosts were given the opportunity to rescue a point in the 97th minute, but Dayle Rooney’s penalty rebounded off the Blues crossbar as Waterford FC picked up a valuable three points in the capital.
ATHLONE TOWN AFC
The midlands side have been the surprise package of the First Division this season, as they sit in second place in the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division with 45 points to their name after 27 games – only seeing Cork City FC above them in the table.
Athlone have picked up mixed results in recent weeks, failing to win in any of their last three league games – most recently falling to a 3-2 defeat at home to Wexford FC on Monday evening despite running into a two-goal lead at half-time.
Dario Castelo’s side welcomed Munster Senior League side Ringmahon Rangers to the Athlone Town Stadium for their Sports Direct Men’s FAI Cup second-round tie in July, and earned their way into the last-16 with a narrow 1-0 win against the Cork-based side. Brian Torre’s goal three minutes into the second-half proved the difference between the sides, as they now make the journey to the RSC this Friday.
TEAM NEWS
Sam Sargeant (hand) & Kyle White (hamstring) remain on the injured list ahead of Friday’s FAI Cup clash. A couple of doubts, but operating off a similar squad to that of against Bohemians last week.
TICKET INFORMATION FOR THE GAME
Tickets for the game against Athlone Town AFC remain on sale now. Click HERE to get your tickets today!
Away-end tickets have been sold directly through Athlone Town AFC.
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 LOI TV from 7:30pm on Thursday evening.
Build up to the game & live in-game updates will be provided across our social media channels (Facebook, Instagram & X), along with pre-game & post-game content.
