MATCH PREVIEW: St. Patrick’s Athletic FC vs Waterford FC

WATERFORD FC

Graham Coughlan’s side travel to Dublin this Friday looking to make it ten games unbeaten, after maintaining their unbeaten streak with a scoreless draw away to Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds last Friday night.

Since Graham Coughlan took charge of the Blues – in which his first fixture over his new side was a 4-1 defeat away to St. Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park back in May – Waterford have gone to lose just two of their following 15 games, winning eight.

Now sitting in eighth position in the league table (one point ahead of Drogheda in ninth & six ahead of Sligo in tenth), the Blues will look to close the gap up the table to Galway in seventh (four points separating the sides) come 10pm on Friday night.

ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC FC

Stephen Kenny’s St. Patrick’s Athletic side remain the closest challengers to league leaders Shamrock Rovers ahead of kick-off on Friday night, with a win over the Blues bringing their gap to the Hoops to just a singular point as they reach the business end of the season.

The Saints remain unbeaten against the Blues in 2026 after three games played, defeating us 4-1 in Richmond Park in May, along with a win (2-0) & a 1-1 draw in our games at the RSC earlier in the year.

After defeating Drogheda United 2-0 away from home last Friday at Sullivan & Lambe Park, St. Pats will look to continue their strong run of form against the Blues, before they turn their attention to their Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup Quarter-Final at home to Dublin-rivals Bohemians next weekend.

WATERFORD FC TEAM NEWS

Will Johnson & Sam Glenfield remain unavailable for selection for Graham Coughlan this Friday night, with the pair remaining on the sideline due to injury.

Summer loanee Blair McKenzie made his debut for the club in Sligo last Friday night, coming on as a second-half substitute in our 0-0 draw at The Showgrounds.

GRAHAM COUGHLAN’S THOUGHTS

“We’re looking forward to the game against St. Pats. It will be a big test, they’re a technical side, so it’ll be a different challenge to what we faced in Sligo last week. It’s a great game to look forward to. We’re looking forward to every game we’re going into at the moment and we’ll be ready for the challenge Pats will pose on Friday night”.