Blues - Waterford United Football Club

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THE OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF WATERFORD UNITED FC - €3

BLUESVERSUS FINN HARPS

FRIDAY 25TH APRIL 2014

KICK OFF 7.45PM

WATERFORD REGIONAL SPORTS CENTRE

SSE AIRTRICITY LEAGUE FIRST DIVISION

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Welcome To The RSCby Chairman John O’Sullivan

Hello everyone, and welcome to the RSC for tonight’s SSE Airtricity League tie with Finn Harps. I’d like to extend a warm Waterford welcome to the officials, players, staff and supporters of Finn Harps FC, and to add my best wishes for the future to outgoing Harps chairman Joey O’Leary who stepped

down at the end of last season..

So the second series has come around already, and we again face the side against which we opened our campaign back at the start of March. Finn Harps always provide a great game of football, and I’ve no doubt tonight will be no different. It was great to finally get our first three points of the league last weekend against Shamrock Rovers. It was a hard-fought win, but it’s been long overdue on our performances to date, where we’ve made plenty of chances but only now began turning them into goals and wins. Hopefully we can keep that going tonight, though it will be a very tough game.

Many congratulations to the players who made the final four for our Under 19 Player of the Year award last Friday, and especially to the winner Andrew O’Connor. The U19 set-up has been a huge success for us, with another excellent season in terms of competitiveness, style of football and player development, and well done once again to everyone involved, right the way through the set-up.

It was lovely too to have the great Dixie Hale at the RSC as guest of honour to present the award to Andrew, wonderful to witness a legend of one of the greatest ever Waterford sides of the 1950s at the home of the Blues, passing the baton as it were to one of the potential Blues stars of the future. Lovely also to see Brian Gardiner at the game last weekend, the goalscoring hero of the 1980 FAI Cup win. It’s always good to have old friends of the club at the RSC, and long may it continue!

A huge thank you to Michael Crowe Carpets, Flooring & Bedding for their generous support as ball sponsor for the

Rovers game last weekend, and to Gary who was there in attendance to present the ball on the night. This kind of support from such excellent local firms is truly vital to keep League football in Waterford, and it’s hugely appreciated by all at the club.

If you or your firm are interested in helping out with sponsorship of any kind please do not hesitate to contact the club office or any of the management committee. Also, anyone interested in coming on board in any capacity to help out with the running of the club, please do get in contact, we always need help to keep the show on the road!

On that note, we are also asking everyone here tonight, and as many fans of the club as we can, to please take some tickets for the big Barcelona draw away with them, at least five – maybe ten if they can manage it, and sell them on on our behalf, spreading the word beyond the range of those interested in the League of Ireland. This is our first big fundraising drive this year, and it’s just vital that we maximise our return, as at the end of the day only revenue income will keep the club going against such a relentless outpouring of costs required to run a League club. For just €8 per ticket, or three for €20, there is a brilliant prize of flights, accommodation and match tickets to a Barcelona match from the 2014/15 season at the Nou Camp, a must for all fans of football, and even for those that are not, as it is a wonderful city. All help we can get with the sale of these tickets will be gratefully received!

And that said, all that remains is to get behind the lads, let’s be as loud and as colourful as we can, to help them towards another three points tonight!

Best of luck Blues!

John

Gary from Michael Crowe Carpets, Flooring & Bedding presenting the match

ball to Brian Gardiner & yours trulyphoto : Brendan White


The Manager’s Commentswith First Team Manager Tommy Griffin

Always, as a manager, and as a team, you want to go into every game keeping a clean sheet, and also scoring as many goals as possible. So to finally get a home win last Friday, and in the process keep a fifth clean sheet, was

pleasing for all concerned. We must now see that as a step for us in the right direction, and it should give us encouragement and belief to improve as the season rolls into the second phase of games. We all agree we have had a stuttering start to our campaign, so we will look to last Friday’s result to give us the kick start we need.

We are now looking as though we have a little more belief in the side. I certainly think we have shown that we can cope well with any physical challenge that is put up to us, and five clean sheets in seven games is a good return defensively. The speed of our decision-making and our technical ability in the final third of the pitch is what we need to take care of. I thought young Jack Doherty was excellent in the first half against Rovers, he now just needs to be more consistent with that type of performance. Once his decision-making improves in the final third I think you will see him contribute with goals and assists. Stephen Kenny was another young lad who impressed when introduced.

Congrats to Andy O’Connor, our U19 Player of the Year, another great prospect in the making! It was

lovely to see the 19s out in force at the Rovers game on Friday. Some of these lads are now out of under 19 football, and so they will continue their pathway with our first team squad – Mark Walsh, Andy and Dean Reidy to name just a few.

Tonight we have Finn Harps down for the return of the opening night fixture, and they will be a very tough nut to crack. Under Ollie Horgan they are playing with a steely determination, and have some very exciting young players in their squad, Ruairi Keating and Carel

Tiofack to name just two. I do know our supporters down here have a very healthy respect for Finn Harps and their supporters, so it is a very warm welcome I wish them. Our first game of the season up there was a very tight game, one which I thought we just shaded, but in the end we were pleased to come away with a draw as both teams had chances.

Certainly I have got the impression, from our training and preparation sessions this week, that our players are focused, and conscious that we are playing a very good side this evening. But we want to show that we are on the way up, and that we have the quality to win. Again we will look to our supporters to be our 12th man on the night –

the amount of noise you created against Rovers was unbelievable! Here’s hoping we give you all some more cheering to do tonight. Enjoy the game.

Mia San Mia,

An impressive showing from Stephen Kenny last Friday night

photo : Paul Elliot/Waterford Soccer Magazine

Tommy

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Last Friday night at the RSC Andrew O’Connor was awarded the Blues Supporters Club U19 Player of the Year for the 2013/14 season, presented at half-time during United’s 1-0 win over Shamrock Rovers by Waterford FC legend, and guest of honour on the night, Dixie Hale.

After the squad was whittled down to a shortlist of four for the voting, O’Connor beat off strong competition from Patrick Fitzgerald, Mark Walsh and Johnny St Ledger, following a combined vote of players, local media representatives and the Blues U19 management team, co-ordinated by Adrian Flanagan of the Waterford News & Star. The Emerald Crystal award was funded by the Blues Supporters Club Fantasy Football Competition.

The winning player was content to let the trophy do the talking on the night, but speaking after the ceremony, Waterford United U19 manager Johnny Browne was fulsome in his praise of all of his players. “Firstly I must pay tribute to all the players for the amount of work they put in to this squad. I described it as an honour to manage them when Tommy was appointed first team manager and in fairness to the lads, they did everything I ever asked of them. We had some exceptional players in the squad but I think we had a group of players that wanted to play and work hard for each other.”

With a special word for the winner, Browne continued: “I’m delighted for Andrew O’Connor because he is a great lad with a great attitude. He put in a great work rate for us wherever we played him and I congratulate him on being named as the player of the year.”The 19s boss was also pleased with the inclusive

nature of the process. “What I think is great also is the fact that this award wasn’t just decided by a panel of judges, but that the players also had a say in the vote, so it’s great that their opinion on who should be the winner was to the fore of Andrew’s ultimate winning of the award.”

Likewise, Blues chairman John O’Sullivan was appreciative of the efforts of all concerned, and delighted with the success of the 19s’ season. “I’d like to thank the players of the U19 squad for the fantastic effort that they put in during the season as they were

a credit to the club. They gave it their all in the league with some excellent results and it was great to see a number of the players stepping up to the first team squad.

“The amount of effort that the management team of Johnny, Deckie, Trevor and John put in was quite u n b e l i e v a b l e , and the club owe a great deal of gratitude to these lads. They’ve worked very hard, had us playing a great brand of

football and it was a great season for them as well.”

The last word went to the Blues chairman. “I’d like to congratulate Andrew O’Connor on winning the player of the year award. It’s always great to recognise the players for their efforts, and thanks to the Supporters Club for putting up this trophy.”

O’Connor Wins Player Of The Yearby Brendan White & Adrian Flanagan

Andy O’Connor presented with the U19 Playerof the Yeartrophy by Blues legend Dixie Hale

photo : Paul Elliot/Waterford Soccer Magazine


Harps fans travelling the 400km from Donegal today to watch their team really deserve great credit. Supporters’ efforts are often ignored, but with two of the best, and most committed, sets of fans in

the country meeting tonight, it’s a good excuse to take a look at some notorious football fans worldwide.

The Hitchhiker ‘Cork Tom’ is one of the League’s great institutions, thumbing his way to up to 200 games a season. So prolific is his attendance that he has even been known to be in Inchicore for the start of a Pat’s match before catching Bohs’ second half across the city in Phibsboro. To add another layer to his story, Cork Tom is actually from Kerry, but was a big Hibs fan back in their heyday. In fact, he has still never forgiven Waterford for winning the title decider at Flower Lodge in 1972. A discussion with Tom is a rite of passage. His words of wisdom usually start with “I’ll tell ya now” (Jason Byrne of Bohs does a spot-on impression on YouTube) and all his predictions are delivered with 100% certainty, even if most don’t come to fruition. Will he ever stop going to games? As the man himself would say, “Don’t be coddin’ me!”

The DrummerKnown by fans worldwide and stopped for pictures and autographs wherever he goes, Manolo’s contribution to football has been to beat ‘El Bombo de Espana’ in support of Spain for over thirty years in every corner of the globe. Brazil will be his ninth World Cup. After years of underachievement, nobody has enjoyed the recent success of La Furia Roja more than the Valencian. It hasn’t all been smooth sailing - he came back from one tournament to find that his wife had left him. These days, the Spanish FA include him as part of the squad, paying for his travel, tickets and accommodation.

The PetrolheadBack in late 2006, Mark Kavanagh (aka Maxi McAllister) had half the country talking about the play-off between the Blues and Dundalk. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the football that was being discussed, but the fact that Maxi had threatened to set FAI headquarters alight, furious at the perceived injustice of Dundalk not being placed in the Premier Division despite beating Waterford. It had been stated all along that only ten out of a thousand marks for on and off-field criteria were allocated for winning the play-off, but Maxi’s passion wouldn’t yield to number-crunching. A tense stand-off ended when Dundalk manager John Gill persuaded

him to stop his protest. Dundalk had to wait another two years for promotion while Maxi got four months for criminal damage.

The Ball BoyAt 42, Mexican-born Abel Rodriguez might be considered too old to be a ball boy, but every summer, the cleaner takes unpaid holidays to gather footballs for his beloved Real Madrid when they train in Los Angeles. Leaving home at 5am, he spends the day setting up cones and helping coaches before returning at 11pm for a few hours’ sleep. Last year, he used every penny he had to fulfil his dream of attending ‘el clasico’. He turned up unannounced at Real’s training complex with no ticket and nowhere to stay. Denied entry, he sat for five hours in the freezing cold until Jose Mourinho recognised him. The specious one showed his generous side by arranging a room at the team hotel, VIP ticket and dinner with the manager. Mourinho went even further by bringing him to Manchester a few days later

to work as kitman for a Champions League clash where his compatriot Chicharito gave him his jersey, and he also met Alex Ferguson, Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Maradona.

The Comeback KidLast month in South Africa, one young fan had his moment in the spotlight thanks to one of his football heroes. Having watched Bafana Bafana hammered 5-0 by Brazil, the Soweto local couldn’t resist the urge to run onto the pitch. Within seconds,

security kicked into action and the 7 year old was being manhandled away until Neymar intervened. The Barcelona star, who had scored a hat-trick, took the delighted child in his arms and introduced him to his team-mates who bounced him in the air like a World Cup-winning coach. The new friends then posed for photos taken by David Luiz.

The Hurler on the DitchOne summer’s day in 1994, West Ham fan Steve Davies spent the first half of a friendly in Oxford giving dog’s abuse to cumbersome striker Lee Chapman. Harry Redknapp eventually cracked and told the mouthy fan to see if he could do better. Having used what subs he had, Harry gave boots and kit to Davies, a thirty-a-day man who had swigged a couple of beers on the sideline, and the courier achieved his boyhood dream by playing for the Hammers. He even outdid Chapman by scoring when he took a pass from Matty Holmes and belted it past the keeper. No multi-million pound contract followed, but Davies still proudly boasts of being “a former West Ham United striker.”

A Splash Of Colourby Shane Murphy

Manolo the Drummer is a familiar sight in stadiums around the globe


THE GAFFER: OLLIE HORGANWith names like Sean McGowan, Don O’Riordan and Sean Connor in the ring for new Finn Harps boss at the end of last season, it’s fair to say that Ollie Horgan was something of a dark horse in the race to succeed Peter Hutton in the Ballybofey hotseat. The Galway native is far from new to the higher

levels of the game, however, having taken Fanad United to three Ulster Senior League titles in eight seasons, as well as managing the Republic of Ireland U18 Schoolboys side since 2012. A reportedly hugely impressive interview sealed the appointment, and has fired imaginations around Finn Park, the renewed optimism reflected in a fine first series of games under the new boss, as the team currently sit well placed in the promotion hunt, the only reverses somewhat unfortunate defeats at Longford and Shelbourne.

KEY PLAYER: PAT McCANNA fair part of Harps’ good start to the new campaign can be put down to the continuing presence in the middle of the park of 23-year-old New Yorker Pat McCann, first signed by the Northwesterners after an impressive trial in July of last year. A committed, driving midfielder, always looking to

get forward, and with a powerful strike from distance, the fourth generation American, whose great-great-grandparents hailed from Donegal, took to League football from the off, scoring twice in eight appearances to the end of the season, and he has continued where he left off this year, notching three times already in the first series of League games.

ONE TO WATCH: RUAIRÍ KEATINGAnother already well on the goal trail for Harps, with three in all competitions, is pacy young forward Ruairí Keating, on loan from Sligo Rovers until July. An exciting prospect, still only 18 years old, the Mayo youngster was top scorer for the Bit o’ Red’s U19 side in the season just

concluded, despite his campaign being curtailed as he signed a pro contract in January and was almost immediately loaned to the Donegal outfit to gain vital League experience. An all round striker, Ruairí has the pace, control and finish to threaten any defence, and showed outstanding confidence for his age to dispatch an equalising penalty with five minutes to go at home to Wexford two weeks ago.

LEGEND: BRENDAN BRADLEYSynonymous with Finn Harps, and indeed with the League of Ireland in the 1970s, Brendan Bradley’s impact on the domestic soccer scene continues to this day. The Derryman was there at the start of Harps’ league journey, signed from the Candystripes’ reserve

side for £100 in 1969, and he finished League top scorer in two of his three seasons at Finn Park, before former Blue David Herd brought him to Lincoln City in July 1972. After a flying start, a downturn in the club’s fortunes, the arrival of new boss Graham Taylor, and a growing desire to return home saw a move back to Donegal, and it was as if he’d never been away. The following season he netted two late winning goals against St Pat’s in the FAI Cup final, and in the following seasons he topped the league scoring charts twice more, making it a record fourth time, the last also a record total of 29, including all six in a 6-1 win over Sligo Rovers. His career total of 235 LoI goals (181 for Harps) remains the target for all, and despite a valiant tilt from Jason Byrne will probably never be bettered.

GOLDEN ERA: 1971-80Though Finn Harps have had successful spells in more recent years, it is fair to say that their golden era was without doubt the 1970s. To fans of a certain vintage the swashbuckling football

that brought that success, and so many admirers, will always epitomise the decade in domestic terms, typified by players like Bradley and Charlie Ferry. Though never taking the title, only once in the decade did Harps finish outside the top half of the table, and they were runners up three times (the first, by an agonising point, to ourselves in 1972/73). Glamour UEFA Cup ties against Aberdeen, Derby County and Everton were scant reward. Their first silverware came against Cork Hibs in the Dublin City Cup in 1972, and two years later they lifted their only FAI Cup to date (earning a first round CWC tie against Turkish side Bursaspor, pictured). They were also runners up in consecutive League Cup finals in 1974 (Waterford) and ‘75 (Bohemians). Like the Blues a gradual decline in the 1980s, and occasional success since, puts them squarely in the ‘sleeping giant’ category.

Welcome to Finn HarpsThis evening’s visitors to the RSC

LEAGUE GAMES PLAYED - 78Won 33, Drawn 18, Lost 27Scored 125, Conceded 116

BIGGEST WIN6:0 – 1993/94 RSCBIGGEST DEFEAT

1:5 – 1974/75 Finn ParkLAST SIX GAMES

Harps 0-0 Blues – 7th Mar 2014Harps 0-2 Blues – 16th Aug 2013Blues 3-0 Harps – 28th Jun 2013Harps 0-1 Blues – 26th Apr 2013Blues 1-1 Harps – 8th Mar 2013Harps 1-2 Blues – 29th Sep 2012

Head

To H

ead


1 Who were the last team to reach an FA Cup Final without facing opponents from the top flight?2 Name the manager of Linfield who will stand down this summer?3 Sassuolo play in which National League?4 A player from each side scored a hat-trick in the games between Man United and Liverpool in the 2010/11 season. Which players?5 Striker Enda Curran plays for which Airtricity League side?6 Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa plays international football for which country?7 Who is the current manager of the USA national team?8 Which team did Arsenal play in Arsene Wenger’s first game in charge? Answers Page 15

From The Supporters Clubby Chairperson Julieanne Leahy

OK so we finally have that elusive first win of the season under our belts! Let’s hope that’s the first of many and that we can carry on by picking up another three points tonight against Finn Harps.

The Blues Supporters Club are delighted to be helping the club run a draw for an amazing prize of tickets, flights and accommodation to Barcelona for a game in Camp Nou in the 2014/2015 season. Tickets will be on sale in the club shop tonight, and you will also be able to get them from any BSC committee members. Tickets can be bought for only €8 each or the great value of three for €20, with the draw to be made at the Galway home game in early July.

Congratulations once again to Brian Nolan, who took the first Blues Supporters Club Player of the Month award this season, for which the presentation was made last weekend. The Player of the Month prize has, for several seasons now, been generously sponsored by the Dungarvan Brewing Company, who also very kindly sponsor our monthly members draw, and tonight we will be making the BSC members draw for the month of April.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Andrew O’Connor on winning the BSC Sponsored U19 Player of the Year last Friday. It was another very successful season for the U19 squad and management, with great performances all across the squad, four excellent candidates on the shortlist, and a very worthy

winner. Congratulations Andrew!

Our Matchday Mascot tonight is Jamie Hutchinson, whose name was put forward by Matt Evans. Jamie is sponsored tonight by the BSC Fantasy Football League. If you would like your business to sponsor our mascot, and have your business advertised here, please feel free to contact any committee member. Any BSC member who wishes to put

forward a child, grandchild, niece or nephew (ages between 4 and 10) for selection for the Matchday Mascot can do so to Davy at the club shop on any matchnight.

We are also looking for any local sports clubs to provide ball boys and girls on match nights. If your club is interested please contact Davy in the club shop tonight.

If anyone is interested in travelling to Eamonn Deacy (formerly Terryland) Park, Galway, on Friday May 2nd, or to Turner’s Cross, Cork, on Monday May 5th, the Blues Supporters Club are looking at running buses to both games. If you are thinking of travelling

to either or both, please contact Davy in the club shop tonight, or on the travel phone 083 4033699, to get your name down. So although there is still a bit of time to get your name down, the buses will only run if the numbers are there, so don’t leave it to the last minute!!

So here’s to our second win of the season!

Yours in the chair,

Julieanne

Get Q

uizz

ical

March Player of the Month winner Brian Nolanphoto: Brendan White

twitter.com/waterfordunited12


Every four years, the World Cup tosses up some genuinely exciting new teams. Realistically, each time the tournament rolls around, the potential winners will come from

just six or seven countries, but each time too there are the dark horses. Teams like Bulgaria in 1994, Croatia in ‘98, Turkey in 2002, or last time, Uruguay. Teams who could conceivably make the semis – or failing that, entertain greatly trying – but are hard to credit as a genuine contender. These are the teams I generally enjoy watching most of all.

Take Chile. Under Marcelo Bielsa’s tenure, Chile became a really entertaining team to watch. Continuing under Jorge Sampaoli, they have lost only three times in his 15 games in charge: away from home by a single goal to Peru, Brazil and Germany. They’ll want to improve on the last 16 this time, and Barcelona’s Alexis Sánchez will be a key to that – though only 25, he’s their second most experienced player, and on course to being Chile’s greatest ever. Their South American rivals, Uruguay, have their names well established already – Cavani, Suarez, Forlan as impact sub, and others at top clubs have recently propelled them to 4th at the World Cup and Confederations Cup, and Copa América Champions too. Beaten only once since that Confederations Cup, they’ve got to be aiming at quarter finals – impressive given Uruguay has only half of this island’s population.

Group C should be fun. Both Colombia and Japan are playing great football and will meet in the group decider. Ranked 5th by FIFA, Colombia fancy their chances, though the last time they were this popular going into the World Cup was 1994, and that didn’t turn out well. They’ll probably be missing their penetrative force with Falcao injured, but they are still a formidable side, with Fredy Guarín pulling the strings, and this could be a chance for Jackson Martínez to shine. FIFA rate Japan only 48th in the world, but recent performances against generally good teams suggests otherwise, especially in November against Belgium and the Netherlands, and even in their Confederations Cup defeats. First to qualify, this may be the Japanese golden generation, and with Endo, Honda, and Kagawa in midfield and Okazaki up top they’re exciting to watch. The current Asian and East Asian champions have a lot of experienced, yet young enough, players, and this could be their big breakthrough.

Nigeria and Ghana represent Africa’s best hopes in Brazil. Nigeria don’t have the stars they did in ‘94, or ‘98, but manager and former captain Stephen Keshi has built a proper team, winning the recent Cup of Nations. Facing Iran first, then Bosnia should help, and the frequent clashes with Argentina will make this not just a group decider, but a potential signature match for both teams. Ameobi recently declared for them, and John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses are the EPL stars, but CSKA’s young winger Ahmed Musa is worth watching. Ghana face one of the toughest groups, but may have the robustness and experience to progress. They cruised through qualification, and destroyed otherwise unbeaten Egypt in the playoffs. Essien and the Boatengs are at the heart of a squad mostly coming from middling to good European teams, with many

going to the World Cup for the 2nd or 3rd time.

Belgium are favorites to be the dark horse team. After years in the wilderness, a Belgian international is the must-have accessory for any club with ambitions these days. They cantered through qualification, and they have some fantastic players. Fantastic enough to win it out? Not at all, but they should entertain, perhaps as far as the semis if Lukaku or Benteke can score consistently. Eight of their 2008 Olympic squad are likely to go to Brazil, Kompany and Fellaini were the key men then, as now.

Honduras are a wild card. Not a major CONCACAF power, but a hard side to break down, and happy to mix it up. While far from pretty, they get results, including coming from behind to beat Mexico at the Azteca. France, Switzerland and Ecuador could be an easy group on the way to a surprising run. Not many familiar names here, mostly playing in the US or Honduras, but interestingly, four of the Palacios brothers have played for their country, and three of them will probably go to Brazil – Wilson is the best and best known of them, playing now for Stoke. Look out also for Anderlecht’s Andy Najar on the wing, hopefully he will take his chance to grace the world stage.

Next time out, I look at the credible contenders. If you want to know why, find me at btid.net, or on twitter @bluebeardrex.

The Dark HorsesNotes On A Small Tournament by Bluebeard

Milan’s Keisuke Honda will be part of a Japan attack worth

watching this summer


The name of Finn Harps sends a shiver down my spine. It’s not often I admit that, but it helps to talk about these things! You see back in the day when spending all

your money down the arcade was replaced by Ataris, Commodore 64s, and other home computers the size of a fridge, one game was king: Championship Manager.For the first time there was a game for the control-freak nerds like myself who didn’t need to break their wrists swivelling a computer generated player down the field to score a goal. Now you were boss. Master tactician. Arsene Wegner from your old bedroom.

It was always excruciatingly apparent that those of us who invested 110% of their free time in a management simulation had long since lost their grip on reality. In my first season of managing AC Milan in 1993 I remember shouting at the screen during one match that “that Marco van Basten was as much use as a one-legged man in an arse-kicking contest,” only realizing the absurdity of the comment when my friend pointed out that, away from a dusty, kebab-stained 14-inch monitor, I’d have never actually seen van Basten.

My first ever match in Championship Manager was with Waterford United. My opening game? A Premier Division clash with Finn Harps at the RSC. My Blues side that day included names like Alan Barry, Scott Garlich, Aidan Swift and Pascal Keane. Harps had a host of players missing so I opted for a 4-3-3. I started well... for about four minutes anyway. After those 240 seconds Pat Arrigan creamed a Harps centre-forward in the box, and the resulting penalty put us 1-0 down. Poor Mr Garlich had to reach into the back on the net three more times that day, and my only solace was a Brian Barry cracker in a 4-1 home defeat. Later that season I crossed paths again with them in my return game in Ballybofey. One word. Annihilation.

As I sat with my cup of tea and toast, pulling a sickie from work and avoiding all calls from the outside world, I couldn’t believe the seven goals Harps had hammered past me in the opening hour. I tried 4-4-2 and conceded four. Opted for 4-3-3 and let in another three. By the

end I had a 1-1-9 attack force whose best effort on goal was winning a throw in on 78 minutes. By February I’d been relegated and collected just seven points from 22 games. The squad had 46 players – twenty of them loan signings – and we’d sunk to a new low with an attendance of 78 at home to Sligo Rovers (ironically it would be the single game I’d won, courtesy of a 90th minute own goal).

My management career was in tatters, the club was about to go down and my girlfriend left me a long time ago. Depressed. Lost. A social outcast, I did the only thing a quick thinking manager would do... I pulled the plug and reset the game.

Twelve months later and with a front line of Anders Limpar and Duncan Ferguson I reached the FAI Cup

Final, took the lead after 35 seconds (good old Kevin Kelly) and still lost the game 3-1. Why? Two words. Jonathan Speak. Two more. Finn Harps. Yet again the northerners had come back (and rightly so since I was a cheating sod) to haunt me.

I recently bridged an almost 20-year gap by buying Championship Manager again, and playing the most updated version of the game. This time I’ve managed to win back-to-back FAI Cups and have Waterford United playing Benfica in Europe. Despite the success I was denied a first League of Ireland Championship since 1972/73 – when you manage you have to think

it’s part of Waterford United’s real history – by a northern team who pipped us by a point by winning 1-0 in a new 6,000 capacity ground in Stranorlar. Finn Harps.

Whilst my dreams aren’t unfortunately reality, Finn Harps new stadium is. May they have a long life and prosperity when they move into it. And may the Blues’ constant defeats to them stay firmly locked... on the CD of a PC game called Championship Manager!

The Monster In My Bedroom A Finn Harps Nightmare By Brian Kennedy

Finn Harps: a formidable obstacle even in the virtual worldphoto: photo: Paul Elliot/WSM


01 Mar Cork City MSC H 1-307 Mar Finn Harps ALFD A 0-010 Mar Avondale United EASC H 2-014 Mar Galway FC ALFD H 0-021 Mar Shelbourne ALFD A 3-328 Mar Wexford Youths ALFD H 1-205 Apr Longford Town ALFD A 0-012 Apr Cobh Ramblers ALFD A 0-018 Apr Shamrock Rovers Res ALFD H 1-025 Apr Finn Harps ALFD H 02 May Galway FC ALFD A 05 May Cork City EASC A09 May Shelbourne ALFD H 16 May Wexford Youths ALFD A 23 May Longford Town ALFD H 30 May Cobh Ramblers ALFD H 12 Jun Shamrock Rovers Res ALFD A 27 Jun Finn Harps ALFD A 04 Jul Galway FC ALFD H 11 Jul Shelbourne ALFD A 18 Jul Wexford Youths ALFD H 26 Jul Longford Town ALFD A 02 Aug Cobh Ramblers ALFD A 08 Aug Shamrock Rovers Res ALFD H 15 Aug Finn Harps ALFD H 29 Aug Galway FC ALFD A 05 Sep Shelbourne ALFD H 19 Sep Wexford Youths ALFD A 26 Sep Longford Town ALFD H 03 Oct Cobh Ramblers ALFD H 12 Oct Shamrock Rovers Res ALFD A

ALFD - AIRTRICITY LEAGUE FIRST DIVISIONMSC - MUNSTER SENIOR CUP

EASC - EA SPORTS CUPFAIC - FORD FAI CUP

FRIDAY APRIL 25THWexford Youths v Shelbourne

SATURDAY APRIL 26THLongford Town v Galway FC

SUNDAY APRIL 27THShamrock Rovers B v Cobh Ramblers

1. Millwall (2003/04), 2. David Jeffrey, 3. Italian Serie A, 4. Dimitar Berbatov & Dirk Kuyt, 5. Derry City, 6. Spain,

7. Jurgen Klinsmann, 8. Blackburn Rovers

P W D L F A GD PtsShelbourne 7 5 2 0 12 4 8 17Longford Town 6 3 1 2 4 3 1 10Wexford Youths 7 3 1 3 9 10 -1 10Finn Harps 7 2 3 2 10 5 5 9Galway FC 7 2 3 2 6 3 3 9Waterford United 7 1 5 1 5 5 0 8Shamrock Rovers B 7 1 3 3 6 10 -4 6Cobh Ramblers 6 0 2 4 3 15 -12 2

PLAYER CLUB GOALSDanny Furlong Wexford Youths 5Dylan Connolly Shelbourne 4Daniel Purdy S hamrock Rovers B 4Pat McCann Finn Harps 3David O’Sullivan Longford Town 3Ruairi Keating Finn Harps 2Chris Lyons Shamrock Rovers B 2Ryan Manning Galway FC 2Stephen Walsh Galway FC 2

First Division Hotshots

Where We Stand

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This Weekend’s OtherFirst Division Fixtures

Quiz Answers

Paddy Barrett opened his accountagainst Rovers B last weekend

photo : Paul Elliot/WSM


Name: Shane MurrayPosition: MidfielderHeight: 6ftBorn: 27th February 1992, WicklowResides: WicklowPrevious Sides: Sheffield United, Arklow Town, Bohemians

After a hard-fought match that saw Waterford United take an overdue first win of the season, Brendan White caught up with Blues midfielder Shane Murray, to get his thoughts on the game just gone, the season so far, and the prospects for the rest of the year. He first asked the Wicklow native how the first three point haul of the campaign had gone down in the dressing room.

“We’re delighted to get the win and get the three points, that’s all Vinny the captain has been saying, all we needed was to get that three points no matter how we get it. We can kick on from here now, that’ll settle us all down, it was a bit cagey at the end but the main thing is we got through it and we got the three points.”

“The early goal was important”, the lively midfielder continued, “it settled us down. It was a great header by Paddy [Barrett] and then it was all about concentration after that. They never really threatened us, but we didn’t want to over commit and then get caught.”

“And the fans were great too, even when we went

back out for our cool down there were still there, a great group of them with the drum. They’re a good group of fans to be fair to them, they followed us down to Cobh last time which was great and they kept making noise, so fair play to them.”

As for the result’s significance to the season going forward, Murray is equal parts pragmatic and optimistic. “It’s huge to just get that win off our backs now, it was a bit of a weird situation that we were in having drawn five of our six matches. I think that’s a massive three points for us, and that’ll hopefully start our season for us now and kick on from here hopefully.”

After catching the eye in pre-season, including a spell as the club’s latest viral sensation with his goal direct from a corner kick against Limerick reaching almost 150,000 youtube views and being picked up by the likes of ESPN, the 22-year-old missed much of the opening series of games through illness. “It’s been very frustrating personally being out sick. Coming back, I was half back for a bit, but Tommy and Alan told me stay away until I get myself back and fit. I’ve trained fully the last two weeks and I’m starting to feel back to myself now thankfully.”

Looking forward to tonight’s game, and beyond, Murray and his colleagues are in no doubt as to what is required of the team to get them back challenging at the right end of the table. “Same thing again against Harps next week, we’ll be looking to get straight in to get the three points. It’s going to be a tough game, they’re doing well, but I think we need to make the RSC a fortress here this season, this is where we need to be picking up the majority of our points and we’ll all be ready for the game. Home form is important but if we can start picking up more points away from home too that’ll really help us.”

And as the players and staff dispersed from under the old stand after a satisfactory evening’s work, a last word from the young midfielder struck an upbeat note. “Morale is still good here and we still have the belief that we can push on. It wasn’t our best game against Rovers, but that’ll settle everyone, and we’ll look to kick on from here.”

Spotlight With Shane Murraythe Blues midfielder talked to Brendan White

1 – Persons entering this ground are admitted only subject to the following Ground Regulations and the Rules & Regula-tions of the Airtricity League and the Football Association of Ireland. Entry to the ground shall be deemed to constitute unqualified acceptance of all these rules. 2 – Fireworks, smoke canisters, bottles, glasses, cans, flags, banners, poles, flares and other similar articles or containers, including anything which could or might be used as a weapon, are not per-mitted within the ground and any person in possession of such an article or container may be refused entry to or ejected from the ground. 3 – The consumption of alcohol in the ground is forbidden and spectators are not permitted to bring alcohol into the ground. 4 – The club management will not tolerate any form of threatening behaviour or racist abuse and racist or abusive chanting is strictly forbidden. 5 – Excessive noise, such as that from the use of radio sets or mobile devices and behaviour likely to cause confusion, annoyane or nuisance of any kind, including foul or abusive language is not permitted in any part of the ground. 6 – Standing in seated areas of the ground and / or the moving from one area of the ground to another without the permission of a steward, An Garda Síochána, or other authorised agent of club management, is strictly forbidden. 7 – Any person who obstructs and / or remains in an access gangway may be ejected from the ground. 8 – Under no circumstances is it permitted to throw an object on the pitch. 9 – unauthorised persons are not permitted to enter onto the field of play and shall be ejected from the ground and have their right of entry revoked. 10 – The climbing of walls, floodlight pylons, stands or other building and structures in the ground is forbidden. 11 – Any person who fails to comply with the instructions from a steward may be ejected from the ground. 12 – In general, the right of admission is reserved to the club management. 13 – The Club management reserves the right to refuse admission or to eject any person who refuses to be searched by member of An Garda Síochána. 14 – The club management reserves the right for its servants or agents to remove from the ground any person who does not comply with the ground regulations or whose presence in the ground could be reasonably construed as constituting a source of danger, nuisance or annoyance to other spectators. 15 – In the event of a match being postponed or abandoned, any refund of the admission charge will be at the discretion of the club management and this is subject to a time limitation, details of which are available from the club offices. (As issued by Club Management, March 2014).

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME PRODUCTIONDesign - Apples & Pears ([email protected])

Print - DVF Print & Graphic SolutionsEditor - John Kehoe

Copy Team - Ray Scott, John Kehoe, Ger McGinn, Michael Butler, Tom Flynn, Brian Kennedy, Brendan White,

Martin French, Shane MurphyAll copyright held by WUFC Operations Limited. Design concept copyright of

Apples & Pears. Any personal views expressed herein are thecontributorsown and not the offical view of the Club unless stated otherwise.

LEAGUE OF IRELAND CHAMPIONS1965/66, 1967/68, 1968/69, 1969/70, 1971/72,

1972/73SHIELD WINNERS

1930/31, 1936/37, 1952/53, 1958/59. 1968/69FAI CUP WINNERS

1937, 1980LEAGUE CUP WINNERS

1973/74, 1984/85FIRST DIVISION CHAMPIONS1989/90, 1997/98, 2002/03

MUNSTER SENIOR CUP CHAMPIONS1935, 1946, 1948, 1956, 1957, 1966, 1967, 1976,

1981, 1986, 1987, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013

CONTACT DETAILSWaterford Regional Sports Centre, Cork Road, Waterford

T - 051 392034 F - 051 [email protected] www.waterford-united.ie

BOARD OF MANAGEMENTHead of Governance - Chris Everett

Head of Finance - Tony BurkeHead of Communications & Community - Ray Scott

Head of Technical - Greg Pheasey

CLUB STRUCTUREChairman - John O’Sullivan

Directors- Chris Everett & Michael DrohanHon President - Bertie Rogers

Hon Vice-President - Dr Liam McCannHon Secretary - Ray Scott

General Manager - Michael DrohanMedia Officer - Brendan White FAI Representative - Paul Cooke

TEAM AFFAIRSManager - Tommy Griffin

Coaching Staff - David Breen, Alan Reynolds,Billy Hearne & John Frost

Club Doctor - Dr Jorge Alcalá, Physiotherapist - Ann Prendergast

Kitman - Michael Walsh

MATCHNIGHT EVENT MANAGEMENTEvent Controller - Mark DunneEvent Manager - Sam White

Safety Officer - Padraig DunneStadium Announcer - Michael Butler

The 1980 FAI Cup Winning Blues

Grou

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nsWho’s Who At The Blues

Club Honours



Powering Live Football

#lovelivefootball

Kevin BURNS ●Matthew CONNOR ●Shane MORRISSEY ●

Gavin O’DONOVAN ●Gavin KAVANAGH ●Shaun CORCORAN ●

Conor WHITTLE ●Gary DELANEY ●

John FROST ●Thomas WHITTY ●

Patrick FITZGERALD ●Kevin O’CONNOR ●

Paddy BARRETT ●Peter WHITE ●

Jack DOHERTY ●Conor COAD ●Brian NOLAN ●

Shane MURRAY ●Philip DROHAN ●Thomas CROKE ●Stephen KENNY ●

Paul QUILTY ●Willie John KIELY ●

Kynan ROCKS ●Conor MEADE ●

Vinny SULLIVAN ●

● WINN Conor

● PATTON Shaun

● COWAN Keith

● COLL Ciarán

● McNULTY Damien

● MAILEY Packie

● MAILEY Josh

● DOHERTY James

● BONNER Caoimhín

● FLANAGAN Chris

● FUNSTON Mickey

● McCANN Pat

● TIOFACK Carel

● BONNER Tommy

● BONNER Jonny

● FISHER Graham

● FORKER Mark

● HARKIN Gareth

● CURRAN Ryan

● McGOWAN Shaun

● DOHERTY Michael

● HENRY Matty

● KEATING Ruairí

● McCARRON Seán

● McHUGH Kevin

● McVEIGH Paul

● BLACK Darragh

BALL BOYSKilmacthomas

MATCH OFFICIALSREFEREE

Simon RogerslASSISTANTS

Darragh KeeganPaula Brady

4TH OFFICIALJim McKel

The Blues’ Mascotkindly sponsored by

BSC Fantasy Football League

Leading out the Blues tonight is 10 year old Jamie Hutchinson, who goes to Mount Sion School. Jamie is a big fan of Waterford United and Celtic, and his favourite players are Paul Quilty and Kris Commons. Jamie plays football with Southend as a centre back, and his favourite food is fish and chips.

The Matchday Mascot sponsor tonight is the Blues Supporters Club Fantasy Football League. At just €10 for the season, BSC membership comes with many benefits such as a monthly members draw and discounted away travel. In addition, you can nominate a child for the mascot draw, like Jamie above. Call into Davy in the club shop to sign up tonight!

Blues - Waterford United Football Club

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