WATERFORD FC vs FINN HARPS
SSE AIRTRICITY FIRST DIVISION
FRIDAY 31ST MARCH 2023, 7.45PM KICK-OFF
Welcome to the RSC as we host Finn Harps. I’m delighted to be here and looking forward to the challenge ahead.
Waterford FC has always been a club in Irish football that has been full of history, has a proud footballing tradition, is a good footballing city and is a big job in League of Ireland terms.
We’ve won two, drawn two and lost one; it’s been an indifferent start but we’re going to try to put a sequence of results and performances together.
Finn Harps will rightly come to the RSC with optimism. They’re unbeaten in their last four games. They got a new manager in Dave Rogers who’s trying to put his stamp on things, and it will take time to embed and implement those ideas and style of play.
We’ll be focussed on ourselves. We’ll try to use our strengths to get after the opposition and get some joy and implement our qualities to try win the game if we can.
You don’t get given anything in this league. You have to earn everything that you get on the football pitch. You have to work hard, and you have to play and win the basics and the battles. If you do that well, you give yourself the platform to play.
One thing I want to try to do with the team is to have an identity between the people on the terraces, the people who come in and pay their money, and the team that represents them on the pitch. I’ve done that with my previous club and that’s something that I’d like to try to implement here that we have that understanding of togetherness between
terraces and the players on the pitch.
The fans are the lifeblood of the club. The club will not exist without the community and the support of the fanbase coming through, paying their hard-earned cash. They’re going to be vital if we’re going to achieve what we all want, which is promotion at the end of the season.
Waterford FC is a big club, with a big fan base and huge potential as a football club. We’re here to try to tap into and maximise that potential to get the people behind the team to identify with them and support the team, but we have to do it on the football pitch.
For me, I want a level of performance, Finn Harps will not roll over. We’ve got to make sure we get after the game from minute one and don’t let go of the game until 90-plus.
Also known as: e Harps
Manager: Dave Rogers
Home Ground: Finn Park
Distance travelled today: 380km
Colours: Blues & White
Last year’s finish: 10th in Premier Division
NAME: ALEX KIELY
AGE: 9 CLUB: HIBS
FAVOURITE TEAM: ARSENAL
FAVOURITE PLAYER: WASSIM AOUACHRIA
Waterford FC are delighted to confirm the appointment of Keith Long as the club’s new head coach.
The vastly experienced boss arrives at the RSC following eight years with Premier Division side Bohemians.
On the appointment, chairman Andy Pilley said: “I’m delighted to welcome Keith to Waterford FC as the club’s new head coach.
“We had a number of very high profile applicants for the job, but Keith was the stand-out candidate and ticked every box for us.
“Keith is a hugely experienced and respected manager in the League of Ireland, and it speaks volumes about the reputation of Waterford FC that we’ve been able to attract someone like Keith to the role.
“I’m hugely excited for the future and am looking forward to being at the RSC for Keith’s first game on Friday night.”
New head coach Long spoke about his excitement regarding the deal:
“I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to work with Waterford FC. It’s a great football club with great tradition and is a real footballing city.
“After meeting the owner and his senior staff, these are exciting times for a club, which has real ambition.
“I’m looking forward to getting started.”
WATERFORD FC -v- BRAY WANDERERS
RAMBLERS -v- WATERFORD FC WATERFORD FC -v- FINN HARPS
WATERFORD FC -v- LONGFORD TOWN
UNITED -v- WATERFORD FC
WATERFORD FC -v- KERRY FC WEXFORD FC -v- WATERFORD FC WATERFORD FC -v- GALWAY UNITED
FC
WATERFORD FC -V- COBH RAMBLERS FINN HARPS -v- WATERFORD FC
WATERFORD FC -v- ATHLONE TOWN FINN HARPS -v- WATERFORD FC
WATERFORD FC -v- COBH RAMBLERS
LONGFORD TOWN -v- WATERFORD FC
WATERFORD FC -v- WEXFORD FC
GALWAY UNITED -v- WATERFORD FC KERRY FC -v- WATERFORD FC
WATERFORD FC -v- TREATY UNITED
Image Credit: Noel Browne
