Waterford FC Jamu Drogheda United Demi Kemenangan Perdana di RSC

Waterford FC bakal menjamu Drogheda United FC dalam laga lanjutan SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division di lapangan RSC pada Senin malam, 18 Mei 2026 waktu setempat, guna mengejar kemenangan perdana mereka musim ini. Laga yang sempat dijadwalkan ulang ini menjadi krusial bagi kedua tim dalam memperbaiki posisi mereka di klasemen sementara kompetisi domestik tersebut.

Klub berjuluk The Blues tersebut kini masih tertahan di dasar klasemen sementara dan terpaut sembilan poin dari Sligo Rovers yang berada di peringkat kesembilan. Sementara itu, tim tamu Drogheda United bertengger di posisi kedelapan dengan raihan 19 poin dari 16 pertandingan yang telah dijalani.

Sebelumnya, dilansir dari pdiperjuanganbali.id, Waterford hampir mengamankan tiga poin penuh saat menghadapi Derry City pada Jumat lalu sebelum Henry Rylah mencetak gol penyeimbang 2-2 di menit ke-94. Hasil imbang tersebut membuat posisi manajer Derry City, Tiernan Lynch, kian tertekan lantaran skuadnya melewati empat laga tanpa kemenangan.

Dalam laga kontra Derry City tersebut, tim tamu unggul lebih dulu lewat gol Kevin Dos Santos pada menit ke-19 sebelum disamakan oleh penalti Tommy Lonergan di babak kedua. Sundulan Kevin Long memanfaatkan umpan Benny Couto sempat membawa Waterford berbalik memimpin, tetapi keunggulan itu buyar di masa injury time.

Di sisi lain, koranmanado.co.id melaporkan Drogheda United menderita kekalahan ketujuh mereka musim ini setelah takluk dari Bohemians dengan skor 1-2 pada laga hari Jumat. Pasukan Kevin Doherty tertinggal dua gol oleh Dayle Rooney dan Pat Hickey sebelum Thomas Oluwa memperkecil ketertinggalan di lima menit terakhir.

Manajer Waterford FC, Graham Coughlan, harus memantau kondisi pasukannya menjelang laga ini mengingat Jordan Houston dan Evan McLaughlin diragukan tampil akibat cedera. Kabar baiknya, asatunews.co.id menyebut Sam Glenfield sudah bisa kembali bermain setelah menjalani masa hukuman akumulasi kartu larangan bertanding.

Pertandingan melawan Drogheda United ini menjadi satu dari dua laga tersisa bagi Waterford FC sebelum memasuki jeda pertengahan musim pada awal Juni mendatang. Pada pertemuan sebelumnya di bulan Februari lalu, Drogheda United berhasil mengalahkan Waterford dengan skor 2-0 di Sullivan & Lambe Park lewat gol cepat Shane Farrell dan Mark Doyle.

"Tomorrow will be a different type of game compared to Friday night. We’re expecting a battle. Friday’s point would turn out to be a great point if we can go and put three points on the board on Monday. Our aim was to come away with four points this weekend, and it’s what we’ll be looking to do." kata Graham Coughlan, Manajer Waterford FC.

Manajer asal Irlandia tersebut kemudian mengapresiasi ketahanan mental anak asuhnya yang dinilai terus menunjukkan performa maksimal meski kerap menghadapi kekecewaan sepanjang musim kompetisi bergulir.

"The character & the resilience the players have shown since we came in has been brilliant. They’ve taken knocks, they’ve taken blows, all season they’ve had disappointments, but on Friday I was really proud of the performance they put on." ujar Graham Coughlan, Manajer Waterford FC.

Coughlan juga memuji dukungan para suporter di stadion dan mengakui bahwa timnya membutuhkan faktor keberuntungan yang tidak didapatkan pada pertandingan sebelumnya.

"And I was proud of the supporters, how they cheered & clapped us off the pitch. Because we’re going to need everybody. The one thing we’re going to need that nobody can control is slices of luck along the way, and we just didn’t get that on Friday night." kata Graham Coughlan, Manajer Waterford FC.

Menurut laporan waterford-news.ie yang dilansir pojokpapua.id, Coughlan percaya bahwa timnya dapat membangun momentum positif dari hasil pertandingan melawan Derry City sebelumnya demi meraih target ke depan.

"First and foremost, we asked for a performance tonight, and I think we got exactly that. It was a really strong performance. We asked for intensity, for high energy, and we got that in abundance. That gives us a clear blueprint for where we want to go. “I thought our overall performance level was very good. But sometimes in football, luck either shines on you or turns its back on you, and tonight it felt like it went against us. When we needed a break or a bit of fortune, it just didn’t come. “They had very few chances and came away with two goals, so fair play to them. It shows you don’t need many chances if you’re clinical. But from our side, we created enough opportunities to win the game, and that’s the frustrating part. “I’m really, really proud of the players. I was frustrated last week because I know they’re better than that, and tonight they showed exactly what they’re capable of. That’s the level we need to reach consistently. “These lads have worked their socks off all week, and that came out tonight. It’s a really good group. I saw some of the talk before I came in about them not caring, but if anyone still believes that, they need to look at that performance. “Look at the pride they showed, the way they put their bodies on the line, the way they worked for each other—that was outstanding, regardless of the result. I can’t comment on what’s gone on before. I don’t live in the past, and I don't want the players living in it either. What’s gone is gone. My focus is on moving forward.” “Tonight is the blueprint. That’s the level we want week in, week out, and now the challenge is to replicate it. Late goals and setbacks are part of football. It’s frustrating when they go against you, but there will be times when they go in your favour as well.”" kata Graham Coughlan, Manajer Waterford FC.

Coughlan mengaku sangat puas dengan respons yang ditunjukkan para pemainnya yang terus berjuang keras di lapangan untuk membangun kembali rasa percaya diri tim.

"What I was really pleased with was the response. The lads showed real character. They kept battling, kept working, and never gave up. I felt we deserved to at least be level, if not ahead. The momentum was with us for large parts of the game, and I was surprised we didn’t create even more. “We asked the players to press, to get tight, to put pressure on the ball, and they did that to the letter. That’s all you can ask for as a coach. I understand some of them are carrying scars from earlier in the season. That’s part and parcel of football when results haven’t gone your way. But performances like tonight can help rebuild that confidence. “Consistency is the key now. If we can get to this level week in, week out, then the results will follow. Continuity brings confidence. The challenge is simple—go and do it again. There’s no point in feeling sorry for ourselves. That was a positive performance, and we need to build on it. “If we can follow this up with a win in the next game, then tonight becomes a very valuable point. That’s how quickly things can change. “I’m excited to be here and excited to be working with this group. They’re putting in the effort on the training ground, and that’s starting to show in matches. Give us a bit more time, and I believe they’ll fully buy into what we’re asking. If they do that, it will bring results." tambah Graham Coughlan, Manajer Waterford FC.