Waterford in the right mood to test Shelbourne's mettle

WATERFORD UNITED manager Jimmy McGeough, is looking forward to the match against eircom League leaders Shelbourne at Tolka Park (7.45) tonight.

And little wonder!

Waterford can look back on an unbeaten run of seven matches and they are in just the right mood to test the mettle of Shels. And they will do so by again putting their faith in their attacking football.

The 2-1 win over Derry at the Brandywell last week was merely confirmation of how far Waterford have come since their promotion last season and manager McGeough commented: “That was a tremendous win for us. Nobody picks up points in Derry without a battle and I was delighted with the way the team played.”

McGeough has done marvellous work with Waterford and the best part of it is his faithfulness to the attacking philosophy that distinguished the team when he was at his peak as a player in the 1970s.

Now they face the ultimate test and they must do so without midfielder Wayne Fitzgerald, who is serving out the second of a two-game suspension, and full-back John Frost, who is doubtful because of a hamstring injury.

Shelbourne look suddenly vulnerable after their defeat by Shamrock Rovers, but manager Pat Fenlon warned: “We did not play well against Rovers but we now have a chance to put things right.”

Shels are strengthened by the return of full-back Owen Heary and centre-back Kevin Doherty, both of whom missed the Rovers game because of suspension. Cork City look to stretch their unbeaten run to eight matches when they face bogey team

St Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park (7.45) tonight and they must again do without leading goalscorer John O’Flynn and midfielder Conor O'Grady, both of whom are injured.

Manager Pat Dolan will give a late fitness test to centre-forward Kevin Doyle with Denis Behan standing by in case he has to substitute.

After beating Drogheda United on Friday Cork are hopeful of turning the tables on St Pat’s. The Dubliners are not helped by injuries to three regulars.

Winger Mbabazi Livingstone is confined to hospital after being forced off with a chest problem against Bohs on Friday, while French full-back Karim El Kheybir and winger Keith Fahy also picked up injuries in that match.

These upsets are not the best preparation for their Cup final against Longford Town next Sunday at Lansdowne Road, but manager Eamonn Collins yesterday stressed his first concern is the health of his players and the League points at stake tonight.