Munster derby promises night of cup drama

MIX a Munster derby with knockout football and you’ve got the recipe for a lively night at the RSC, as Waterford United host Cork City in an FAI Ford Cup quarter-final tonight (7.30pm, live on TG4).

Cork have developed some late season momentum in the league but will know that their 3-0 win in the same venue one month ago will count for little in the context of a cup tie which offers Waterford a chance to emulate their 1-0 victory over Cork back in March.

Says Waterford’s Robbie Hedderman: “There’s no reason why we can’t do it again. Of course, there’s no doubting their quality. Look across their team sheet: McSweeney and O’Flynn will both get you goals; Kearney, good player; Gamble, probably the best midfielder in the country; Farrelly, Healy — but we’re not going to be intimidated by that. It’s a derby game, we’ll get stuck in and if we keep a clean sheet and get a break, we’ll get through to the next round. The derby aspect brings something more to the game. From the supporters’ point of view, it’s about bragging rights in work on Monday morning. So you go out and maybe try that little bit more. I’m sure there’ll be tackles flying in and people will be giving everything. And with the cup adding to it, it makes it a really big game.”