Waterford ‘desperate’ for promotion boost

Waterford United boss Paul O’Brien says the club are desperate to get out of the increasingly marginalised First Division as they prepare for tonight’s promotion/relegation play-off first leg against Longford Town at Flancare Park (7.30pm).

“From a financial point of view you need the big clubs coming to your ground,” said O’Brien. “Once you have people coming through the turnstiles it’s half the battle. But it’s hard to attract fans.

“Not being disrespectful to other teams in the First Division, but you need the likes of Shamrock Rovers and Cork coming to the RSC.”

O’Brien, whose side go into the tie as favourites having won five of their last six league games, are without suspended defenders Seamus Long and Jamies Cross.

“The lads are really looking forward to the game,” added O’Brien. “To be honest, we need to give a good account of ourselves as we want to go into the second leg with something.

Defender Aidan Collins and midfielder Willo McDonagh return for Longford while boss Tony Cousins hopes left-back Michael Lee and striker Karl Bermingham will also be fit.

The winners over the two legs meet Dundalk, who finished bottom of the Premier Division, in two further games to decide promotion/relegation.