FAI Cup preview: Cork seek respite against Waterford

The second round of the FAI Cup begins tonight with six of the eight ties, including a potential rehearsal for the promotion/relegation play-off in the league and a number of other lower divisions sides eyeing an upset.

Cork City have not won in eight league matches, with a home draw against UCD last week leading to a chorus on boos in Turners Cross.

A much-changed City outfit lost 3-1 to Cobh Ramblers in the Munster Senior Cup on Monday night – a result or performance which counts for little – but it worsened the mood ahead of the visit Waterford FC.

The Blues are simply waiting for the play-offs after establishing themselves in second place in the First Division.

Galway United hold a near insurmountable lead at the top while Cobh are a similar number of points away from Keith Long’s side.

It will be October and November fixtures which decide their season, and there is a strong possibility these teams could do battle again.

Long will view it as an ideal chance to test themselves against Premier Division opposition and the possibility of a run to the final given the open nature of the draw.

Long told the club website: "It's a big cup game and we’re looking forward to a really good Munster derby. Hopefully we’ll have a great travelling support behind the team again because we’ll need that going to Turners Cross, and it’s an opportunity to show what a big football club Waterford FC is – with a proud tradition.

"Cork are operating at a different level to us week-to-week so we’ve got to make sure we can iron out some of the problems we’ve had, go attack the game, trust and believe in ourselves and give a really good account of ourselves.

"We’re underdogs but it’s a game we’re really looking forward to."

Harry Nevin and Barry Baggley