Drogheda United boss Kevin Doherty wary of Waterford FC qualities
Speaking on Tuesday, he said: 'There's 10 games left and still 30 points to play for and a couple of wins and they're right there (in the battle for European places), particularly when they're playing us. It's a bit early to be talking about having nothing to play for, it really is, so I think they're very much alive.
'I watched their game at the weekend (against St Pat's) and they had a really, really strong performance, and a really good result in Galway the week before. Who else has gone down there and scored four goals?
'They will bring a lot of challenges. Everyone talks about Padraig Amond and Tommy Lonergan up front, but they've got Conan Noonan in behind as well and they brought in (Jordan) Rossiter. Andy Boyle will be coming back as well, so they'll have their strongest backline available, and they've a very experienced manager who knows how to get results.
'Every game in this league is so, so difficult, but we're going into Friday confident after winning three in a row and playing well.
'I could not have been happier with the performance on Friday (against Bohemians) and I think it was very, very evident what we were doing on that training camp in Spain the week before.'
'The big thing for me is the availability of players, which is a massive difference compared to a month ago. Paul Doyle did his first full training session yesterday, so it's only Elicha Ahui, Zishim Bawa and Scott Brady who aren't available now.'
Warren Davis and Darragh Markey scored the goals in a 2-0 win the last time Waterford visited Drogheda, but in the reverse fixture in the RSC it took a stoppage-time strike from Conor Keeley to rescue a 2-2 draw.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
25 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Shamrock Rovers missing key players through injury for Ballkani clash in Kosovo
Stephen Bradley is adamant Shamrock Rovers can reach another European League phase - by doing it the hard way. But the Hoops' cause in Kosovo on Thursday won't be helped by the absence of key figures from their will face Ballkani without Graham Burke, Jack Byrne, Matt Healy, Aaron McEneff and Trevor Clarke who all have injury Healy and Clarke are all registered in Rovers' squad that had to be submitted to UEFA for this tie, meaning they can feature in the home leg next week if Byrne and McEneff are not on the UEFA list, so they won't be available for the second-leg at Tallaght Bradley feels there is such strength in depth to his squad these days that the absence of those leading lights doesn't constitute an injury crisis. Their absence just opens the door for the likes of new midfielder Connor Malley - snapped up on loan from Sligo Rovers - who made his debut against Derry on Sunday. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . Bradley said in Kosovo: 'They're top players and if it was the last game of the season and you're going for the league, or a cup final, I'm sure they would all be available. Aaron McEneff, seen here in action against St Joseph's of Gibraltar in the previous round, is out of Shamrock Rovers' European game in Kosovo (Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne) 'But we're in a position that we've got a really good squad and everybody's ready to play, and we don't need to take silly risks with players.'Last year, we had to do that. We were forced into that because of the injury situation and, as a result, we kept re-injuring the players.'That's not fair on them or the group or the team and right now, we're in a place where the squad is healthy and everybody's looking to play.'We don't need to take chances with players that have niggles or who are borderline fit. We don't need to take those chances and sit on a plane for three-and-a-half hours.'Rovers want to get back to the Conference League league phase, having reached the playoff round in February only to lose on penalties to having missed out on the Premier Division title last season, they don't have the benefit of the 'champions path' in Europe, currently being enjoyed by this tie, and Rovers will be sent packing but Bradley feels the experience his team has gained in Europe will stand to said: 'We knew it was going to be hard but our aim is to get into the group phase, the league phase. Can we do it? Time will tell, but for now it's about getting ready for a tough tie and getting through that.'Shamrock Rovers defender Dan Cleary echoed Bradley, by insisting the players can rise to the challenge of securing another prolonged run in said: 'We don't have the champions path, so it's everything or nothing. Mentally, it's obviously different, but we're still doing the same thing. 'We want to win tonight, bring it back to Tallaght next week and take them on. We can't look too far ahead because it's a big game tonight and these are a good side.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Stephen Bradley says he 'doesn't need to take chances' with Rovers' Byrne and McEneff due to squad depth
Uefa Conference League, third round (first leg): Ballkani v Shamrock Rovers, Pristina — Thursday, 7.30pm Irish time. Stephen Bradley insists he can afford to avoid risking Jack Byrne and Aaron McEneff for this Conference League hurdle due to the depth of his Shamrock Rovers squad. The Premier Division leaders are in Kosovo for their first leg against Ballkani with a place in a playoff duel with either Larne or Portuguese outfit Santa Clara on the line. Bradley has in his armoury the most experienced squad in Ireland when it comes to European competition. Four Champions League campaigns on the spin accrued two years of entrance into the group stage, last year's breaking new ground by reaching the knockout stages. While they've began from a different start point, the target destination remains the same. Being seeded bolsters their prospects too but the fact Rovers have left behind an array of stars underlines confidence levels internally. They've also learned lessons from casualties during last year's campaign. Matt Healy, Graham Burke, Trevor Clarke, Aaron McEneff and Jack Byrne haven't travelled — the latter pair spared next Thursday's second leg too. Rovers' Jack Byrne will miss the first leg clash with Ballkani. File picture: Ryan Byrne/Inpho 'If this was the last game of the season to win the league or the FAI Cup final, I'm sure they would all be available to play,' explained the Hoops manager. 'But we're in a position that we've got a really good squad and everybody's ready to play. 'I think that's really important. Last year, we were forced into that because of the injury situation. And as a result, we kept re-injuring the players. 'We don't need to take those chances. Sitting on a plane for three-and-a-half hours, followed by a coach journey, won't help niggles.' That outlook heightens the possibility of new signing Conor Malley making his European debut. 'We saw from his performance against Derry City on Sunday why we tried really hard to sign him for a long time', said Bradley, referencing the weekend win that stretches their lead at the summit to 10 points with 10 games left. 'He slots right into what we do. I think there's so much more to come from him when he understands exactly what we do. But he's here for a reason because we think he's a top player. You'll definitely see Conor over the next few months play a big part in what we do.' Bradley wasn't accepting a draw as a desirable outcome ahead of their Tallaght return next Thursday, only evidence that they can maintain standards set in recent years. 'Not having the Champions Path this year, we knew it was going to be difficult but our aim is to get into the league phase again.'
Irish Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
St Pat's blow as key player ruled out for season on eve of Besikitas clash
Zack Elbouzedi has been ruled out for the rest of St Pat's season. The ace winger dislocated his shoulder in the first-leg win over Estonian side Nomme Kalju at Richmond Park a fortnight ago. And ahead of Thursday's big European clash with Turkish giants Besiktas, Stephen Kenny confirmed he won't play again in 2025. Kenny said: 'Zack has been ruled out for the season. He needs an operation on his dislocated shoulder. Aidan Keena will be out for a long period and Romal Palmer is (already) out. Those three would have featured in these games, but it opens up the door for other players. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . 'Simon Power has come in and grabbed his opportunity, and Kian Leavy, so it opens up for other players, and that's the nature of football.' But Kenny has swooped to secure cover on the flanks with the signing of Jamaican-born Jordan Garrick. He was most recently with Forest Green Rovers and has made over 130 appearances in English with Swansea City, Swindon Town, Plymouth Argyle and Lincoln City. St Pats' Zack Elbouzedi is injured against Kalju (Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne) Garrick is registered to feature in tonight's European squad but is unlikely to be involved having trained just twice with his new team-mates. Kenny said: 'He's had a terrific career and we feel he can make a good impact and contribution here, in what will be an intensive period. 'With Zack being ruled out for the season with a shoulder injury, he'll have an operation soon. And with the (quad) injury Aidan Keena picked up last week plus Romal Palmer also being out, it's an area of the pitch we've been looking at. 'Jordon can play in any attacking areas of the pitch, central but predominantly wide, and had a really good spell with Plymouth in League 1 as well as at Forest Green." St Pat's are big underdogs against Besikitas and Kenny added: "To win over two legs is the challenge, not just the game tomorrow, but the game in Istanbul of course. 'It's a big challenge and you have to prepare well because you can lose it in the first 10 minutes if you're not psychologically tuned in. We must back ourselves and try to establish some elements of control in the game. That will be our objective.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
