Waterford depleted ahead of Dundalk trip
Defensive regulars Seamus Long and John Frost miss out due to a red card and an accumulation of yellows respectively, while Stephen Mulcahy is also a worry after limping off early in their last game against Longford Town.
“Having Seamus Long sent off against Longford was disappointing, especially as he had replaced Stephen Mulcahy so early in the game,” says Blues boss Paul O’Brien.
“When you lose players of their calibre it can be tough going, but this season we have a strong panel and we will be able to cope against Dundalk. This club wants to be a Premier League club and the time is right to fulfil that ambition.”
Dundalk caretaker manager Darius Kierans says there is a “belief within the squad” that they can beat the First Division side over two legs and preserve their Premier Division status at the end of what he admits has been a “disastrous season” for the club.
“A club like Dundalk should be at the top end of the table,” he says. “It has been a disastrous season, from the get-go. But seeing what the fans have done and how hard they have worked to keep the club alive through very difficult times, I hope they can get behind us for these last two vital games.”
Kierans can welcome back midfield pair John Mountney (appendix) and Stephen Maher (suspension) but defender Derek Foran (groin), top scorer Gary Shanahan (ankle) and the versatile Paul Walsh (groin) are all doubtful while young striker Bob McKenna (shin splints) misses out.
Meanwhile, with a cup final looming for the club on Sunday, St Patrick’s Athletic assistant manager Trevor Croly declined to comment yesterday on speculation linking him to the vacant managerial post at his former club Shamrock Rovers after the Hoops’ interim Director of Football Brian Laws returned to England to take over at Scunthorpe United.
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