Tolka Rovers knock Waterford United out of FAI Cup
Friday night last produced a major shock when intermediate outfit Tolka Roves proved too strong for Waterford United in Frank Cooke Park. The proud club were humbled by the Dubliners following a display which left a lot to be desired. Denis Moran gave the host club the lead after dreadful defending by the visitors on 23 minutes and Mark Tonnley doubled their advantage six minutes into the second half. Willie John Kiely did pull a goal back on 57 minutes but that was as good as it got for the Blues. Both teams finished the game with ten players as Mark Tonnley and Anthony McAlavey were both sent packing by the referee Michael O'Connor. The Waterford manager Roddy Collins, who was taking charge of the team for the third time pulled no punches when he spoke after the game.
"Players not up to it and a massive overhaul needed of the club". That was the opening view of the shell shocked manager. He than added the following.
"It's bitterly disappointing. Of course it is and it is to lose any game but I think that the manner in which we lost was really disappointing, really disappointing you know," said a straight talking Roddy Collins after the game.
"Where did we go wrong in that match? Well you could be here till midnight because there was lots of stuff. You can make excuses but there is no excuse for that. They wanted it a little bit more. They got their chances and they took them.
"We handed them two chances but in any game of football you can't do that. I said to the lads that I would come in and assess the situation. We got to a flyer against Cabinteely and won 3-1 even if I never felt comfortable in that game. Last week, you go to Tolka and say you get a cleansheet and a draw but that's been negative.
"But tonight. It's just plain evident to me that there is a massive overhaul that needs to be done. A massive overhaul.
"It didn't matter if we had gotten a draw tonight or if we had to nick a 3-2 win because the whole fact of the matter is that there is a big overhaul need to be done in this club. You can stumble from week to week, you can sneak a goal but its miles off. It's not good enough for Waterford United.
"Trust me now. It's not good enough for what I believe Waterford United should be as a club but where I believe it should be as a manager. It's not good enough but as I say I turned a number of clubs upside down; however this is going to need a major, major overhaul.
"There is a few players knocking around but there is no quick fix to this. Trust me. It needs a total overhaul and I'm saddened to say that because I was living in hope myself over the first couple of weeks but tonight for me away from home against a Junior club was just not good enough for Waterford United.
"I'll work hard absolutely. There'll be no doubt about that. I'll be on the phone to my contacts and I'll be sitting down with the board. I'll have an assessment of the whole thing and I'll tell the lads what needs to be done. It's disappointing for Waterford United Football Club but more importantly it's disappointing for the people.
"The people that came here tonight deserve better. Don't get me wrong now, it's not a lack of effort from the lads. Trust me. There is an awful lot of effort there but it's just there is too many players in this club that are just not up to it," concluded the Blues manager. Waterford United now travel to Co. Cork to play Cobh Ramblers in St Coleman's Park this Friday in the league.
