Waterford FC will look to make an appearance in an FAI Cup Final for the first time since 2004 when Shelbourne visit the RSC on Sunday afternoon.
The Blues will be hoping to take a third Premier Division scalp to seal a place in this year's showpiece, having seen-off St. Patrick’s Athletic and Dundalk on this cup run.
⏳Countdown is on for Sunday… #WaterfordFC pic.twitter.com/lHVqVfeqFd
— Waterford FC (@WaterfordFCie) October 14, 2022
Danny Searle’s side comes into the game on the back of a comprehensive 3-0 win over Treaty United last weekend in the league.
The win extended the side's unbeaten run to five in all competitions, with goals from Junior Quitirna, Raul Uche and the magnificent Phoenix Patterson seeing the Blues move into second place in the league.
? We caught up with Blues head coach Danny Searle following last night’s 3-0 home win against Treaty United.
The win was a fifth successive for the Blues with next weekend's https://t.co/JSNGAx3oTR FAI Cup semi final the next challenge for the squad.
#WaterfordFC pic.twitter.com/ToJpPvPkcZ
— Waterford FC (@WaterfordFCie) October 8, 2022
Waterford welcomes a wounded Shelbourne, who are without a league victory in nine outings.
The side's last FAI Cup meeting came in 2017 when the Dublin outfit won 3-0 in the early stages of the competition.
Speaking to SportsBeat, Danny Searle was complimentary of his opponents: "If you look at the games they've been losing, they haven't been battered by anybody," he said.
"A last-minute defeat against the team that is probably going to be champions, and has been playing European football this year, that's no mean feat!
"They were in the game for a very long period of time, they led in the game twice, and when you look at the Shelbourne side, they've got great energy, athleticism and organisation.
"I think, for me to a certain degree, the form's irrelevant and without sounding too obvious, it's going to be as simple as the team that turns up and performs will win the game."
Brian Murphy and Eddie Nolan continue their recoveries following lengthy spells out with injury, while Wassim Aouachria is suspended.
Kick-off at the RSC is at 4:45 pm.
