Just Where We Want to Be

As masses of fans make their plans for the road to Dublin tomorrow, the excitement is palpable and belief abounds that this could be Waterford's year. Their opponents, Bohemians, might be chasing a league and cup double, but Graham Coughlan has instilled confidence and courage in his side and Dalymount Park holds no fear for us. In fact, it is the Blues' favourite place to play. 

Older fans have great memories of our last cup win in 1980 (also the venue for our only other win in 1937), but the Blues' recent results in Phibsborough have been phenomenal. In twelve league games at Dalymount Park since 2018, Waterford have won a stunning eight times, drawn twice and only been beaten twice. There have been so many memorable moments - Courtney Duffus winning the first fixture in 2018 before a dominant 3-1 win that October that wrapped up a top-four finish. Tom Holland was the hero in 2019 and Tyreke Wilson struck a glorious free kick behind closed doors in 2020. Then, there was a 2-1 win on the return to Dublin days after the '21 semi-final and back-to-back wins in '24 with Pádraig Amond scoring the first day and Sam Glenfield's thunderbolt sealing a 3-2 comeback the second. James Olayinka's strike last year made it three wins from three visits and a struggling side even managed to pick up Jon Daly's only away point this season with a 1-1 draw in April when John Mahon was on target. Nowhere have Waterford's results been better - even at the RSC. 

 

Graham Coughlan has worked miracles since May (Noel Browne)

The most recent meeting of the sides came in August when Waterford produced a scorching first half - one of the best 45-minute displays by any club this season - to lead by three at the break. Graham Coughlan's men cruised through the second half for a very comfortable 3-1 win. Dawson Devoy's absence was felt by Bohemians that day, but such was Will Johnson's centrality to Waterford's recovery through the summer months that being without him was arguably a bigger loss for the home side. The loanee from Fleetwood Town suffered what turned out to be a season-ending injury the previous week, but his replacement, Noah Mawene, thrived when thrown in at the deep end for his debut. 

Coughlan will surely look to replicate what worked well for Waterford that day so we can expect to see right back Jordan Houston return to a back five, like in August, with Hayden Cann moving back into a three with John Mahon and Kevin Long, accompanied by Benny Couto on the far side. Midfield has been weakened with the loss of Johnson and with Evan McLaughlin's suspension for the semi-final. Sam Glenfield picked up an injury three weeks ago in Tallaght and is unlikely to start so Dean McMenamy appears favourite to come into the middle even though Luke Heeney is another option. McLaughlin's absence as a creative force might lead to a more attacking role for Conan Noonan something which suits the number ten from Naas. I expect Jorgen Voilas to start on the bench in that reshuffle. The Norwegian has been one of the best signings of the season and it is always good to see him on the pitch, but the manager may feel he has been lacking a game-changing substitute in recent games. Voilas' versatility is key here as he can be sent on as a winger, striker, wing back or to play behind the front two depending on what the scoreline dictates. 

Bohemians' route to the semi-final began in controversy with the Ringmahon Rangers debacle when the Cork club refused to play their Second Round fixture. Alan Reynolds' team then dismantled Longford Town 4-0 with two goals for Colm Whelan and one apiece for Harry Vaughan and Connor Parsons. They appeared to be headed for the exit door in the cup quarter-final a goal down to St Patrick's Athletic in extra time at Richmond Park, but an own goal brought them to a penalty shootout which they won in sudden death. Waterford, on the other hand, have won three home games to reach the final four. A comeback win against Cobh Ramblers (McLaughlin and Amond scoring) was followed by another 2-1 win against Athlone Town with Amond opening the scoring and Couto firing in the winner. Finally, there was a resounding 3-0 win over Sligo Rovers with Lonergan and Amond scoring along with an own goal.

 

Lonergan and Amond have developed the league's best strikeforce

Lonergan, of course, comes into this match in the form of his life having scored four goals in three games for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s to add to his fifteen league and cup goals for the Blues this season. He has been the talk of the country this week - the hero of an historic win against England - and his value is sky-rocketing. His strike partner Amond, sixteen years his senior, has quietly notched thirteen league and cup goals himself this season and has scored in each round of the cup to date. He bagged another two in last weekend's 7-1 friendly win at Wayside Celtic with Voilas matching that feat and a goal each for Noonan, McMenamy and McLaughlin. These underdogs do not lack bite and have plenty of scoring power. 

While Waterford had to manage a three-week break during the international break, having been refused a request to play Galway United last weekend despite Galway's apparent agreement, Bohs did have a league game last Friday and they picked up an important 2-1 win in Dundalk to go joint-top of the table alongside St Pat's and Shamrock Rovers. That made it five league victories in a row since the defeat at the RSC. They are still in the hunt for the double and their fans are expectant. Their supporters have shown their volatility throughout the season with large sections baying for the manager's blood more often than backing him. It will be intriguing to see if that tension manifests itself tomorrow night. 

The Blues go in with zero pressure and with confidence that they can beat anyone on their day. Coughlan has worked miracles since May and he has the league's best strikeforce to deliver the goals that can book a place in the Aviva Stadium next month. They couldn't ask for a more favourable venue to create a night never to be forgotten.