MATCH PREVIEW: Bohemian FC vs Waterford FC

It’s cup semi-final week as the Blues make their highly-anticipated trip to Dalymount Park this Friday to take on Bohemian FC in our Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup Semi-Final, and we have everything you need to know ahead of kick-off.

Bohemian FC vs Waterford FC

Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup Semi-Final

Friday 9th October 2026

Dalymount Park, Dublin

7:45pm

WATERFORD FC

After the latest – and longest – international break of the season, Waterford return to action on Friday night in our first FAI Cup semi-final since 2022, with the Blues aiming to reach the showpiece finale for the first time in 22 years – and our first appearance at the Aviva Stadium in doing-so.

Waterford last lifted the iconic FAI Cup trophy in 1980 when Brian Gardiner’s first-half strike proved the difference against St. Patrick’s Athletic in-front of over 18,000 spectators in attendance at Dalymount Park, with captain Al Finucane becoming just the second Blues captain to lift the coveted trophy.

Friday’s game against Bohemians is in fact Waterford’s first away draw of the 2026 Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup, with three consecutive home draws favouring the Blues up until this point. We kicked-off our cup campaign with a 2-1 second-round win against Cobh Ramblers, before defeating Athlone Town with the same scoreline in the third round. A comprehensive 3-0 defeat of Sligo Rovers at the quarter final stage has now set us up for our semi-final showdown against Alan Reynolds’ Bohemians side.

The Blues will be buoyed with the return of Tommy Lonergan after his heroics over the international break, netting four goals in three games – including twice in Tuesday’s famous 3-1 win over back-to back U21 European Champions England at Turners Cross – whilst Stephen McMullan also returns to the club following his latest appearances for Northern Ireland’s U21s against Malta & Georgia.

Waterford will be backed by a sold-out away end on Friday night, with the full allocation of 450 tickets selling out in a matter of minutes after going on sale weeks ago, as the Blues aim to create more history tomorrow night.

BOHEMIAN FC

Bohemians themselves go in search of making it to their third FAI Cup final since 2021 – where they have lost their previous two appearances to St. Patrick’s Athletic on both occasions in 2021 & 2023.

Bohemians received a bye against Ringmahon Rangers in their second round tie back in July, before a dominant 4-0 win over Longford Town set up a quarter-final showdown against St. Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park where they emerged victorious on penalties after a 1-1 draw to set up Friday night’s clash against the Blues.

The Phibsborough outfit defeated Waterford 1-0 at the semi-final stage in 2021, with Georgie Kelly firing in a dramatic 89th minute winner at a packed-out Dalymount against at the time a First Division Waterford side to send Bohs to their first cup final since 2008.

Reynolds side head into Friday’s encounter on the back of seven consecutive wins across league & cup, with the most recent coming away to Dundalk in Oriel Park last Friday with a 2-1 scoreline.

WATERFORD FC TEAM NEWS

Tommy Lonergan & Stephen McMullan returned to training this week after their time away on international duty with the Republic of Ireland U21s & Northern Ireland U21s respectively. Sam Glenfield, who was initially called-up for the Northern Ireland U21s squad, returned to Waterford before their first game of the international window to continue his recovery to full fitness.

Evan McLaughlin misses Friday night’s game against Bohemians due to a one-match suspension, after picking up yellow cards in our previous rounds against Athlone & Sligo.

GRAHAM COUGHLAN’S THOUGHTS

“Preparations have been great ahead of Friday night. The lads as usual have worked their socks off in training, and they’re chomping at the bit now.

Of course it’s been a longer break than usual, one we won’t know the evidence of the work we put in until 10pm on Friday night, but I just hope it’s enough to get us over the line.

The fans have got right behind us since I’ve walked in through the front door, they’ve been immense & brilliant for us.

I’ve spoken about the tough times, the hard times that these players and supporters have had earlier this year. The players now have an opportunity to give back and put smiles on peoples faces, the fans, their families. it’s a great opportunity, but of course it’s a huge task ahead of us against a tough opponent in Bohemians. We know what we’re getting involved in, but as always we’ll go in confident. It’s not often you get to a cup semi-final, so we’ll make the most of it give it our all and leave everything on the pitch.”

PÁDRAIG AMOND’S THOUGHTS

Blues captain Pádraig Amond spoke to the clubs media team earlier this week to look ahead to tomorrow’s Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup semi-final against Bohemians at Dalymount Park.