Cork City vs Waterford Preview: Last chance saloon for Ger Nash and the Rebel Army in the Munster Derby. | OneFootball

Live on Virgin Media Two, Turner’s Cross hosts the fifth and final Munster derby of the season on Friday night as Waterford look to avenge the FAI Cup defeat they suffered on Leeside just two weeks ago. That victory was only Cork City’s second triumph against Premier Division opposition since Easter Monday, when a dramatic late turnaround granted the Rebel Army a rare moment of joy and exultation in an otherwise painful season.

Since then, in a run that has spanned two managers, the Leesiders have won just one of sixteen subsequent league games, cutting them a drift at the bottom of the table. Therefore, on Friday evening it may be regional pride that is on the line more so than the importance of three points or even the idea of Premier Division status, which is rapidly fading from Cork City’s vision.

For the visitors, the comfortable stasis of being somewhat marooned in seventh place, five points above the drop zone and the same amount behind Shelbourne in sixth, means that revenge for the cup exit a fortnight ago may well be their biggest motivation upon their imminent return to the scene of Kaedyn Kamara’s late winner.

Kaedyn Kamara celebrates a winning goal in front of the Shed End (thanks to Kbdphotos.com for the featured images)

The Home Team:

Following a brief upturn in form that saw City beat Galway and Waterford either side of a creditable draw away in Derry, Gerard Nash’s men came crashing back down to earth in Dalymount Park last time out. They were outclassed by a Bohemians side who themselves had only won two of eight preceding fixtures. The 3-0 scoreline was a fair reflection of a game in which Bohs had 30 shots in total, while the Corkmen failed to hit the target after the first minute.

Given City’s abysmal away record this season, however, defeats and poor performances on the road have not necessarily been indicative of what to expect in the next home game. Albeit far from imperious, their form at Turner’s Cross has been significantly better over the course of the campaign. Despite the fact that the Rebel Army sit a massive ten points behind Sligo in the standings, they have actually taken a point more than the Connaught men across their 14 respective home games – and just one less than Waterford who are 15 points clear of City overall.

Ahead of Friday’s encounter the Leesiders may well draw some encouragement from the fact that only Shamrock Rovers, St Patrick’s Athletic and Drogheda United have lost fewer home games than them in the Premier Division. Add to that the memory of two dramatic triumphs against Waterford at the Cross already this season and there may be enough cause for belief amongst the City faithful that they will be able to laud a hat trick of victories over their Munster rivals.

The Visitors:

Waterford come into Friday’s game in poor form, off the back of three defeats and a draw in their last four outings in which they have only managed to score two goals. Further beyond that remains the spectre of the 7-2 demolition in Derry in early July which may continue haunt the group for some time.

Blues’ boss John Coleman castigated his side last week for some of the “horrendous” goals his side have let in recently, declaring that “the last four goals we’ve conceded have all been preventable.” In anticipation of another clash with their regional rivals he urged his team not to hide and to “stand up and be counted.”

Striker Padraig Amond, the league’s top scorer with 12, meanwhile was keen to emphasise the fact that Waterford are viewing this game as a “must-win”, just as Ger Nash had deemed it for City.

There was some positive news at the club during the week too as 20-year-old goalkeeper Stephen McMullan was called up to the Northern Ireland national squad for their qualifiers against Germany and Luxembourg.

Ex-Liverpool midfielder Jordan Rossiter (pictured) is also expected to play a role for the Blues on Friday night

Team news:

Waterford reported no fresh injury concerns ahead of their return to Leeside, but it remains to be seen whether Coleman will tweak the starting XI that lost to 9th placed Sligo at the RSC last week. Polish defender Kacper Radkowski entered from the bench following a lengthy lay-off so may well be in line to return to the action from the outset, fitness permitting.

For the home side, in a season plagued by injuries, they may seek solace in the fact there appears to be no new issues announced ahead of derby day.  In terms of selection, 19-year-old Kaedyn Kamara was granted his first start last week since arriving on loan from Preston. With fond memories of his last involvement against Waterford, Ger Nash may opt to keep the youngster’s positive momentum growing, especially with the continued absence of veteran midfielder Greg Bolger. Whether it is through youthful exuberance or grizzled experience, both Cork City and Waterford will be grappling for any win that can grant them something of a renaissance.