Waterford boss rues ‘the football gods’

Waterford United will field a makeshift side for tonight’s televised FAI Ford Cup clash with Cork City at the RSC (kick-off 7.30pm).

Blues boss Gareth Cronin faces a major selection headache as his side have been hit by injury, ineligibility and suspension as they face a crucial game in this Munster derby.

Paul McCarthy is suspended for the game and Dave Mulcahy played for St Patrick’s Athletic in an earlier round - he is cup-tied.

Cathal Lordan cannot play as he is on loan from Cork, while Kenny Brown, Daryl Kavanagh and Alan Mulcahy are all injured.

There is one piece of good news with John Hayes fully recovering from injury and he looks likely to come straight into the team.

“This has been a crazy week and the football gods have deserted us,” said Cronin.

“We are down to the bare bones of the squad and it looks like I will have a number of the Under-21 squad on the bench for the game.

“The Cup is magical – for players and supporters – so motivation won’t be an issue. The fact that we are playing Cork gives us an added incentive and I know that the players will raise their game for this one.”

“We are only two matches away from the final and the memory of 2004 is fresh in everybody’s minds at the club and they want to be back in a final again.”