Monaghan United -v- Waterford United

• Brendan White
• Thu, Mar 10 2011


Roddy Collins begins his Monaghan United managerial reign with a tough home match against Waterford United this Friday night. Kick-off: 8pm.

Having been appointed as manager on Tuesday, Collins has had little time to prepare for the game but the squad already assembled had an extra week as preparation with no fixture in week one, while the visitors began their season with a scoreless draw at home to Athlone Town.

Monaghan United have been something more than a hoodoo team for the Blues in recent times, victorious in the last five meetings between the sides, and recording a clean sweep last season, including the Division One play-off victory at the RSC in November. The away side haven't beaten Monaghan since the first tie of the 2009 season; a comprehensive 6-0 win. Waterford last victory at Gortakeegan came as far back as the 2000-01 season.

“There’s a squad there, they nearly got promoted last year so you have to respect the work they have done”, new boss Roddy Collins said. “A few moved on, a few good ones came in. Shane Barrett, Dave Rodgers, Fabio [Declan] O’Brien, Rocco [John Reilly], they are four good acquisitions. And you are looking at a few young kids to throw in also, so there’s a few.”

Waterford United manager Stephen Henderson was far from pleased with the opening days scoreless draw at home to Athlone Town. “I thought that we were pedestrian tonight and we didn’t move the ball quickly enough. We didn’t play any one-twos anywhere near the edge of their box, we got crosses into the box and we didn’t have anyone in the box so there was a lot of negative stuff about this tonight. It’s two points dropped without a shadow.”

“It’s a tough week every week and it will be no different for the game against Monaghan United next Friday night. Maybe we have this thing in our head about going up to Monaghan next week but we have to be right and defensively we have to be right.”

Monaghan United have no injury concerns ahead of the game. Michael Coady returns to the Waterford United side following suspension. Willie John Kiely (facial injury) and defender Paul Carey (broken nose) should both return to the squad also. Keith Quinn was an unexpected absentee from the game but is expected to be in line to make his league debut on Friday against Monaghan United.

Monaghan United
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended:None

Waterford United
Injured: None.
Doubtful: Willie John Kiely, Paul Carey.
Suspended: None.

Referee: J.McLoughlin.
Paddy Power Odds: Monaghan United 6/4 - Draw 11/5 - Waterford United 6/4.
Extratime Prediction: A very close game - 1-1.