League Preview: Waterford -v- Shamrock Rovers

• Patrick O'Connor
• Thu, May 15 2025

WATERFORD

In form Waterford will look to get their fifth win on the trot when they play host to new league leaders Shamrock Rovers at the Regional Sports Centre (RSC) in Waterford on Friday night, KO 7.45pm.

The Blues have hit a rich vein of form of late winning their last four games, two at home and two away.

After losing six games back-to-back, manager Keith Long departed the RSC in April with Matt Lawlor initially taking over on an interim basis before new manager John Coleman took charge for the first time on the Bank Holiday Monday fixture against Galway United.

It seems to be all or nothing with the Blues, they either win or lose, and they are one of only two teams in the league not to have drawn any of their 15 games played to date (Bohemians are the other team).

They only had a one goal margin of victory against the Tribesmen on Friday evening, Darragh Leahy’s 27^th minute goal separating the two sides.

The three points gained still did not take them out of the lower half of the table, but such is the nature of the table thus far this season that although they lie in seventh position in the table on 21 points, they are still only five points adrift of Rovers who top the table on 26 points.

Coleman shared his thoughts with the Waterford media team in advance of the Rovers game and said, “We’ve got good coaching staff, and a good set-up, with very good players, that will leave no stone unturned. The players don’t take anything for granted, and everything we do is going to be based off hard work.

“The fans were fantastic last week, we all really appreciated that support. Coming over from the UK (myself & Danny Ventre, assistant manager), some people may not have known us too well, but the whole crowd made us feel extremely welcome.

“Shamrock Rovers are top of the league for a reason, but I have no doubt if we go out there tomorrow night with heart, and passion, and desire, that our lads will do everything they can to come away to all three points.”

SHAMROCK ROVERS

The Hoops 3-0 dismissal of previous league leaders Drogheda United had a very clinical feel to it last weekend and they will look to be equally clinical when they run out onto the RSC pitch on Friday night.

That win took them to the top of the table and as it required 15 games to reach a league table  position they have become very accustomed to in recent years, they will be in no mood to relinquish it quickly when they face the Blues.

The win over the Drogs was delivered on the back of dominating the possession stakes, they won this battle by 74% to 26%, and they will be keen to use the same formula against Waterford on Friday night.

Rovers achieved that win with a host of regular first teams out injured, but they still had enough strength in dept to outclass the Co. Louth side at Tallaght Stadium.

They were coasting at 2-0 thanks to goals from Aaron Greene and Lee Grace as the second half drew to a close but Rory Gaffney made in 3-0 with almost the last kick of the game after being set up by Michael Noonan.

Stephen Bradley spoke to the Rovers media team this week in advance of the game and started by congratulating Josh Honahan who has been called up to the Irish International team by Heimer Hallgrimsson

 He said: “We are all delighted for him, as a club we should be really proud when one of our players gets called up to the national team.

“It’s all credit to him, he is the one who does the hard work, if he stays focussed and works hard, hopefully it’s the first of many.”

Referring to the game in Waterford, he added, “We have watched Waterford since their new manager has come in, the little tweaks that he has made, but we know Waterford is always a difficult game, especially down there.

“With the new management and staff in there, they are trying to do things differently and we know we have to be at our very best if we are to win the game.”

Referee: Aaron O Dowd.

Match Stats

Waterford’s average home attendance this season so far is 2,640 but with their recent run of form, the new manager bounce, the arrival in town of the league leaders, as well as the mediterranean like weather conditions in the South East, it’s highly likely that attendance will be well exceeded on Friday night.

BETTING

Waterford  9/2; Draw  27/10; Shamrock Rovers 8/15 .

PREDICTION

Waterford 1-2 Shamrock Rovers

Waterford       

Injured: Trae Coyle, Matty Smith, Andy Boyle.

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Ineligible: Conan Noonan (on loan from parent club Shamrock Rovers).

Shamrock Rovers       

Injured: Sean Kavanagh, Sean Robertson, Dan Cleary

Doubtful:  None

Suspended: None

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— extratime.com (@extratime.com) 15 May 2025 at 20:45