MATCH PREVIEW: Shelbourne FC vs Waterford FC

The Blues make the journey to Tolka Park this Friday evening looking to take on Shelbourne FC in our latest SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division clash, and we have everything you need to know ahead of kick-off.

Shelbourne FC vs Waterford FC

SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division

Friday 22nd May 2026

Tolka Park, Dublin

7:45pm

WATERFORD FC

Waterford head to Dublin on Friday full of confidence, looking to build on Monday night’s important 2-1 win over Drogheda United at the RSC. After falling 1-0 early on, Tommy Lonergan got us level just before the break – flicking home Will Johnson’s long throw-in – before Lonergan added his second deep into second-half injury time from the penalty spot after he was fouled by Fynn Talley inside the Drogheda penalty area to give the Blues their first win of the season.

After picking up four points from last weekends double header (also picking up a point at home to Derry City on Friday night), the Blues will look to continue this form in Drumcondra tomorrow night, taking on Joey O’Brien’s Shelbourne.

The Blues remain at the foot of the Premier Division table going into this weekend’s fixture, with 10 points to our name as we look to close the game on those above us before the mid-season break at the start of June.

SHELBOURNE FC

Shelbourne welcome the Blues to Tolka Park on Friday night looking for their first home win of the 2026 season, after a difficult start for the Reds since the turn of the year.

Joey O’Brien’s side have had an up-and-down season to-date in 2026 – albeit unbeaten in their last four games with 2 wins & 2 draws, most recently an impressive 1-0 win away to St. Patrick’s Athletic last weekend – as they look to continue that upturn in recent form against the Blues tomorrow night.

Joey O’Brien’s side currently sit in fifth position in the league table going into Friday nights clash, with 21 points to their name from their opening 16 games.

WATERFORD FC TEAM NEWS

No fresh injury concerns for Graham Coughlan to deal with ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Tolka Park from Monday’s game at the RSC against Drogheda.

Jordan Houston (shoulder) will be assessed ahead of kick-off, while Finlay Armstrong (quad) & Evan McLaughlin (foot) remain out.

GRAHAM COUGHLAN’S THOUGHTS

“Naturally, the result [on Monday] has lifted us & there has been a bit of a bounce from the lads. But in fairness to the players, they’ve been like that since we’ve come in through the front door. Training’s been spiky, which I love and it’s part and parcel with the game. It’s our job now that the players stick to the process, it’s only been two games that they’ve performed in, but yes there has been plenty of positives and it has been really enjoyable since I’ve come in.

For us, it’s been about the last three games we’ve played since I’ve come in the door, and focusing towards Shelbourne tomorrow night. I’m always 80% us, 20% the opposition. You do always have to touch on the opposition, but if we are don’t get ourselves right then there’s no point in talking about the opposition.

The players probably lost a bit of confidence & self-belief. I’ve given the players clarity, no grey areas, just telling them what to do. We have a game plan for these type of situations, to get results when things aren’t going well but you’re still getting results, so hopefully our lads can stick to that blueprint. That of course will change & involve should we get ourselves into a healthier position, but for now the blueprint is the blueprint and we’ll work off that. Everyone in that dressing room understands that, and they seem to be responding in fairness to them.

We are getting better, we are improving, but as we all know football, that could come crashing down at any time so we’re still motoring on with the stabilisers on at the moment. It’s one game at a time for us, with Shelbourne in Dublin tomorrow our only focus right now.”

WILL JOHNSON’S THOUGHTS

“When I had my injury, I was worried that I was running out of time in the English season, but then the opportunity to come to Waterford came about which I jumped at. I spoke to people at Fleetwood and I only heard good things about the place here, so I was over the moon & couldn’t wait to get over here to help the side out.

Monday was an unbelievable feeling to get the result. We were disappointed with Derry on Friday given the amount of effort we put in to concede a deflected effort in the last minute. From then, we knew we had the performance, it was just about getting that three points, and that’s what we got on Monday. It’s all well and good getting three points on Monday, but we have to build on that now.

The gaffer has been great since he’s come in. He’s ridden the storm before of the situation we’re in with other clubs. He has such high energy and demands such high standards on the pitch from us, showing us we’ve still alive this season and still have so much to fight for, and I think the fans have seen that from us in the last three games.

With the momentum we’ve got from last weekend, there’s no reason why we can’t go to Tolka Park tomorrow and get a result. That’s what we’ll be looking for, looking to come back with those three points.”

MATCH TICKETS

Away-end tickets for Waterford FC supporters travelling to Tolka Park on Friday night are now on sale online only. Tickets are priced at the following categories: