League Preview: Waterford FC - v - Cabinteely FC

WATERFORD FC

It is back to the drawing board for Waterford when they welcome Cabinteely to the RSC on Friday night (kick off 7.45pm). It may be silly to make presumptions so early in the season but it is obvious to say that The Blues did not live up to the hype on the opening night of the season losing 1-0 to Athlone Town.

It is safe to say giant killings and overwhelming favourites losing has been the norm recently , not just in Ireland but worldwide.

With Athlone claiming  a last minute winner last week against Waterford maybe that result can be added to that ever growing list of surprises as even the most knowledgable fans or pundits would not have predicted the scoreline from the Athlone last Friday.

Waterford’s expensively assembled squad will be looking to bounce back at home to Cabinteely who are looking to also bounce back themselves from a 1-0 home loss to UCD from their respective opener.

Head Coach Alan Reynolds and Director of Football Pat Fenlon will be hoping to start their respective home reigns with a bang in the RSC against Cabo.

Things have been very different in Waterford over the winter months with high-profile moves involving the club. There is renowned sense of optimism around the air in Waterford City when the subject of the League of Ireland is talked about.

The fans really believe the club is going places, with a takeover just completed by Swindon Town owner Lee Power. With this comes some financial power, so they have added quality players, new staff and even a name change.

However if this investment does not result in progress, the fans will quickly disinterested and grow restless. So this is why the game on Friday is so important; yes the three points are vital, but the performance is what the fans want to see to back up their optimism.

"The Athlone game was a big wake-up call to a lot of us,” said defender Dave Mulcahy ahead of the game. “Not many of the players had experienced the First Division before with the contrast of football compared to the Premier Division."

"Last week was a big disappointment and the players were hurt but the reaction has been good at training. To be fair to the squad, it is completely new and it will naturally take a while to settle and gel.

“Training has been sharp and positive, though, with everyone involved so on that front we feel ready for the game.

"We all hope for a positive reaction from the supporters tomorrow night and hopefully in turn we can deliver the right result on the pitch. They were fantastic in Athlone and we’re hoping for more of the same from them."

CABINTEELY FC

Cabinteely will make the trip to Waterford for their first away fixture of the season. Coach Pat Devlin will attempt to mastermind a victory over the widely tipped promotion chasers.

At the time entering the League of Ireland was regarded as a bold and risky attempt. But Cabinteely appeared to be squashing that myth by appointing Devlin as their new manager/Director of Football.

Fielding a team in the first division is an expensive business but the club chairman is looks to become “the biggest brand in Irish football”.

That might be a distant dream for now but Devlin’s arrival marks a significant shift in emphasis for the club.

The former Bray Wanderers manager will manage the first team while also overseeing the youth sides.

After a difficult first two seasons managed by Eddie Gormley, there is some money for Devlin to spend this year, as evidenced in their signings for the season.

Devlin has carried out a small overhaul of his squad in pre-season, with the age profile of his squad increasing somewhat following the signings of seasoned campaigners, such as Jason Byrne.

The 39 year old is joined in the off season with the aim of becoming the League of Ireland’s all-time Top Scorer. He is only 14 behind Brendan Bradley, with Bradley on 235 (who is featured in an interview this week on extratime.ie here).

Kieran Marty Waters is another experienced campaigner from his time at Bray, Shamrock Rovers and UCD.

The signing of ex-Shelbourne man Daire Doyle (36) is also a real coup for the Blackrock club, with the squad possessing an average age of just 22.

This is Cabo’s third year in the First Division and with the club operating a bit differently than previous years, the fans will feel that is an added incentive to do a lot better.

Away to the promotion favourite’s looks daunting on paper, but as everyone knows football is not played on paper and this ambitious club are no strangers to causing an upset.

Referee: Robert Hennessey

MATCH FACTS

The two sides have met four times in the league since the away sides’ first season in the league back in 2015. In that year, Cabo managed a 1-0 win. Waterford managed a 3-1 and a 1-0 scoreline. A 1-1 stalemate between the pair was sandwiched in between these.

Last season the Blues won twice. Cabo claimed one win with the remaining match ending in a 0-0 stalemate.

Ex-Waterford man Cory Galvin aims to impress his old outfit by returning to his old club from last season.

MATCH BETTING

Waterford FC 1/4; Draw 4/1; Cabinteely FC 9/1

PREDICTION

Waterford FC 2-0 Cabinteely FC.

Waterford FC

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Cabinteely FC

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None