League Preview: Wexford Youths -v- Waterford United

• Simon O'Gorman
• Thu, Mar 12 2015




WEXFORD YOUTHS

There is no doubt which of these south-east rivals will be happier with the start made to the 2015 season and it isn’t Wexford. Shane Keegan’s team were widely tipped to do well this year but so far things haven’t turned out as planned.

 

With three competitive games behind them in 2015 Wexford’s only success has been a penalty shootout win over local side North End United in the Leinster Senior Cup. After that they lost 1-0 to League newbies Cabinteely in their opening league match and then went down 2-1 to the current Munster Senior League champions UCC in the EA Sports Cup last Tuesday night.

 

That said, Keegan has put together an effective squad over the past few seasons and hopes are high around Ferrycarrig Park that this may yet be a season to remember for the Youths. 

 

Key players have been retained while a few interesting additions should help to solidify Wexford’s position as one of the more likely First Division teams to challenge for promotion. Former Waterford player Philip Drohan and Johnny Bonner from Finn Harps are among the new faces in Keegan’s squad while former Junior level players Craig Comerford (Crettyard Utd), Conor English (Evergreen) and Lee Grace (Carrick United) have been given plenty of game time too.

 

The challenge for Wexford now is to meld the old with the new while building on the progress already made, and a home win against their derby rivals would be an excellent way to start.

 

 

WATERFORD UNITED

The Blues had a mixed pre-season, playing five Premier Division teams and beating one of them (Longford), while also losing out to MSL side Avondale United in the Munster Senior Cup. But their league opener against Athlone Town at the RSC last Friday night, which finished 1-1, will have felt almost as good as a win thanks to Shane Nolan’s 94th minute equaliser.

 

Tommy Griffin’s men sat out the EA Sports Cup first round in midweek having secured a bye to the next stage and so they prepare to embark on their first competitive game on the road with the positivity of last weekend’s ‘great escape’ still in their back pocket.

 

Manager Griffin acknowledged the value of Nolan’s late equaliser ahead of what he expects to be a difficult tie against near neighbours Wexford.

 

“Always when you get a goal like that with the final kick, it almost feels like a win but we’re delighted to get a positive result in difficult conditions.

 

“Going to Wexford is going to be tough but it’s a game that will hold no fear for us. They lost to Cabinteely but were missing a few players. We’ll go there hoping to build on this result and try to drive forward.”

 

The Blues boss has no suspensions to deal with ahead of the weekend but has doubts over the fitness of three players; Thomas Croke, Brian Nolan and Dean Reidy. 

 

Referee: Adriano Reale

 

 

MATCH STATS

In the eleven derbies played at Ferrycarrig Park since 2009, only one has finished as a draw; when the teams drew 0-0 on the 4th September '09.

 

Last season Waterford won just two away games in the League and one of them was against Wexford, at Ferrycarrig Park on 16th May (3-1).

 

The last time these sides met was on 19th September last year when Wexford ran out 4-0 winners at Ferrycarrig.

 

 

BETTING

Wexford 8/15; Draw 13/5; Waterford 9/2.

 

PREDICTION

Home win; 1-0 to Wexford

 

 

Wexford Youths

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

Waterford United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Thomas Croke, Brian Nolan, Dean Reidy.

Suspended: None.