Next four games vital for Waterford United
Last weeks games in the SSE Airtricity First Division certainly put the pressure on Waterford United to deliver when they return to action following the mid-season break. Improving Cobh Ramblers did the Blues a favour by holding Shelbourne to a 2-2 draw in St Coleman's Park. Longford made the journey to Donegal to play Finn Harps and they took all three points by defeating the home side one nil. Galway left it late in their home game against Wexford Youths but their single goal was good enough to beat Shane Keegan's men. Those results left the top of the table looking like this. Shelbourne lead the way with 26 points from 14 games played. Galway have moved into second place with 24 points having also played 14 games. Longford Town have also a total of 24 points but they have played only 13 games. Waterford United are in 4th position with an overall total of 20 points from their 14 outings to date. Wexford Youths have also secured 20 points but they have a game in hand of the Blues. When the season gets underway again on June 27th Waterford United will have to make the long journey to play Finn Harps which is never an easy task. The next three games will be massive ones for the local club also. On July 4th Galway will pay a visit to the RSC and following that six pointer Tommy Griffin's men will return to Tolka Park to play the leaders Shelbourne. The Dublin side drew 3-3 with Waterford at that venue in March but since that match Shels have beaten Waterford one nil on two occasions. They were outplayed at the RSC but the visitors somehow managed to win one nil and that was the the outcome once again when the two teams met in the FAI Cup two weeks ago.The Blues were a much better team but they could not take their chances and a lone goal saw the local club bow out of the cup. A home game against Wexford Youths will be next on the agenda for Waterford on July 18th. One would have to think that to remain in with a realastic chance of securing a play-off place Waterford United would have to take at least ten points from a possible twelve from the games against Finn Harps, Galway, Shelbourne and Wexford. Following those games a trip to Longford will be on the cards on July 26th. There is no doubt that Waterford Unites are every bit as good as the teams above them but they just cannot find the net on a regular basis. That area of their game will have to improve when the action returns later this month.
Eight brilliant finalS in Ozier Park
No less than eight Schoolboy finals were played in Ozier Park last week, four of them took place on Saturday last and everyone of them produced something special. It was a magical time indeed. Clubs such as Johnville (who won two final's) Portlaw, Ferrybank, Southend United, Ballinroad, Kilmacow and Kilmacthomas left the famous Wateford football venue with silverware. Needless to say the defeated clubs left broken hearted but their day will come very soon. Two more finals will be played in Ozier Park this Saturday and a visit to Ozier Park is highly recommended.
