Waterford Utd v Cork City:European qualification may yet be achieved through the league, but Cork City's lingering hopes of having something more tangible to show for the season could be ended this evening at the RSC if they fail to maintain their recent run of form against a Waterford side desperate to extend their own FAI Cup run.
City have found goals relatively easy to come by of late and their last couple of meetings with United have yielded comfortable victories. Still, the absence with a pelvic injury of Darragh Ryan and a significant doubt over the fitness of striker John O'Flynn will cause some concern in the visitors' camp.
Damien Richardson admits his side are "susceptible" to an upset if they fail to perform, but, having gone six games without a defeat, they will be confident the run can be maintained.
"It's been a crazy week and we're down to the bare bones," says United boss Gareth Cronin. "We're only two matches from the final, though, and the memory of 2004 is fresh in everybody's mind. They all want to be back there so motivation won't be a problem."
Bodies might be, however, with Paul McCarthy suspended, Dave Mulcahy cup-tied and Cathal Lordan ruled out by the terms of his loan deal with tonight's opponents. Kenny Browne and Daryl Kavanagh will miss out through injury while Alan Mulcahy is a doubt.
