Blues seek upturn

Having become the latest Eircom League side to reveal financial problems, Waterford United travel to Ballybofey this evening …

Having become the latest Eircom League side to reveal financial problems, Waterford United travel to Ballybofey this evening hoping for a first league win since late April.

Alan Reynolds's men haven't scored in 372 minutes of football and morale will hardly have been lifted by the news that, if investors aren't found soon, players will be sold to cut the wage bill.

"It's a bad situation all right," says Reynolds, "but at least the directors are being very straight with us. I think there are other clubs in the same situation (but) simply hiding the problems.

"To be fair, the money that came in for Daryl Murphy meant anyone owed money has been paid and wages are all up to date. But the money coming in isn't enough to meet costs . . . but we just have to get on with it."

READ MORE

A win this evening would at least halt the onfield slide but Reynolds is taking nothing for granted against a Finn Harps side that, thanks to Kevin McHugh, has started scoring again.

Reynolds misses the game with injury as do Paul Crowley, Seán Finn and Kevin Doherty.

"Kevin came off last week with a hamstring and could be out for four weeks, which is a major blow," says Reynolds. "That's the way it's been for most of this season, though, with players out and few enough to come in. The lads just have to keep battling and hope our luck improves."

At Flancare Park, meanwhile, two of the form sides clash as Stephen Kenny takes Derry City back to his former club Longford.

Kenny is without Peter Hutton (suspended) and so may start Mark McChrystal at centre back. Kevin Deery and Damien Brennan are injured.

Longford have Barry Ferguson suspended. Stephen Paisley faces a fitness test on an ankle. The hosts will start with Paul Keegan and Andy Myler up front, the pair having excelled in recent weeks.

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone is Work Correspondent at The Irish Times