The Famous 6 in 8

The Famous 6 in 8

Shane Murphy

Six notes, less than eight minutes to read. 

 

1. Waterford’s play was a mixed bag against Shelbourne much like last week in Sligo. On Saturday, we came out on top in a five-goal thriller. Last night lacked the same fireworks and fit the Damien Duff blueprint perfectly. The visitors took an early lead and then controlled the game without too many hairy moments. It’s a simple philosophy with heavier emphasis on defending the lead than extending it.

The Blues produced some very good attacking play without, ultimately, creating many clearcut chances. There is potential there though with some lovely link-up play between Conan Noonan, Tommy Lonergan and Pádraig Amond. It didn’t pay off this time, but they look like a very exciting attack with the first two already a goal to the good from last week.

Defensively, Waterford were vulnerable and need to tighten up quickly. It certainly wasn’t the plan to only have six senior defenders and that is compounded by Grant Horton’s absence and, now, Ryan Burke’s forthcoming suspension.

 

2.  The red card for Burke made an already difficult task almost insurmountable for the final half hour of the game. Shelbourne are a notoriously hard side to play from behind. With an extra man, they were able to control the ball for most of the second half and easily filter bodies back to defend any threat.

Referee Paul Norton’s decision drew a lot of debate. It was certainly a self-inflicted wound for The Blues with attacking possession squandered and the defence getting themselves into trouble. I have sympathy for Ryan because it’s one of these circumstances where it’s more difficult having possession of the ball than defending. It was a case of him attempting to clear the ball and slightly losing his footing rather than tackling the attacker. It ended up being a high challenge and I wouldn’t argue the red card, but equally, I don’t think Shelbourne would have been too outraged if a yellow was shown.

It was Waterford’s first sending off since Darragh Leahy against Athlone Town last August and the first in the league since Burke, again, picked up a second yellow card right at the end of the 0-0 draw with Galway United at the RSC in April.

 

 

 

3.  One of Keith Long’s main concerns this offseason was to address squad depth. The overwhelming consensus is that this was achieved, so it is mightily unlucky to have a minor injury crisis to begin the season. Matty Smith, so rarely injured, missed the entire preseason and is still a few weeks from match-fitness. James Olayinka suffered an eye injury that required laser surgery. Trae Coyle pulled a hamstring in the friendly against Bohemians at the RSC and says he is “probably three weeks” from returning while Ben McCormack and Grant Horton both picked up injuries in Sligo last week.

Add to these that Darragh Leahy had a bad chest infection that affected his preseason while Sam Glenfield is also just regaining fitness after missing January through injury. Rowan McDonald and Navajo Bakboord were both doubts for last night, but played, and now Ryan Burke is due a suspension.

 

4.  Being down to the bare bones does, at least, present opportunities for others. It was wonderful to see 15 year old Bobby Keohan named on the Waterford bench. The former Waterford Bohs forward, who spent a season with Shelbourne, doesn’t turn 16 until July so it was a thrill to see him wearing the number 55 shirt. Other substitutes Noah O’Brien (16), Zak O’Sullivan (17) and Seán Keane (18) are grizzled veterans in comparison. 

 

 

 

5.  For so many years, there was little to no reason to arrive in the ground any more than ten minutes before kick-off. There is so much going on at the RSC nowadays and the ground begins to fill up from 6pm. The Fan Zone was already a fabulous addition and now people are able to enjoy a beer while chatting about the game. The price (€6) was widely accepted as good value and it seems to have all gone off very smoothly. There’s an excellent selection of food and the excitement really builds there. The match programme returned and looks top quality. One lucky punter won €320 in the new 50/50 raffle too.

 

6.  It's great to have that Big Event feel at the RSC. There was an attendance of 3,448 there to watch Waterford’s first home game of the season and to welcome the league champions and their manager Damien Duff. Shelbourne brought 550 fans – a hundred more than their initial allocation. That means an extra two grand in the kitty which is not to be sniffed at. We’ve seen plenty of nights in the First Division with no away fans and know that the atmosphere is much better with two competing sets of fans singing and shouting. Defeat was tough, but it’s good to be back.

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