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Winner takes all - potential Premier Division return beckons for Blues

Winner takes all - potential Premier Division return beckons for Blues
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Ninety minutes of football - barring any extras - separates Waterford FC from an immediate return to Premier Division football tonight.

The Blues make the trip to Inchicore to face UCD in what is a repeat of last year's promotion / relegation play-off when the Students relegated Waterford following a 2-1 win.

The tables have turned this evening - the Blues now being the plucky First Division side who come in flying form, while it's UCD who have been the Premier Division strugglers.

It's a massive occasion for both clubs with the winner to take all.

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Waterford FC boss Danny Searle has been speaking to WLR Sport in the build-up. He says no matter how prepared you are - it means nothing if you don't perform.

"We prepared how we prepare for every game. From that perspective, nothing's changed. We've obviously had to take a look at them as we've not had much to do with them this season - so, our research and analysis has shown us what they bring to the table. The bottom line is we have to turn up and perform. If we do that, we're confident that we can do the job that we need to do."

Controlling emotions and playing the game as opposed to the occasion will be imperative for Searle's side this evening.

"This is knockout football now. It's a cup game. It's the winner takes all so we have to make sure that we control our emotions. We have a full understanding of what we need to be doing - and I have full confidence in the lads to be able to do that."

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Niall O'Keeffe has starred in midfield for the Blues throughout the course of the campaign, and he says for the homegrown players like himself, Shane Griffin, Eddie Nolan, Darragh Power and Brian Murphy - this means everything.

"It means everything. You see the likes of Murph and Eddie - they've come back to play for their home club and I think promotion has always been our main aim. That's what we've always been going for. The supporters have been absolutely massive. They've been the twelfth man everywhere that we've went. We're extremely grateful that they're always behind us."

Kick off in Inchicore is at 7.45pm this evening and WLR will bring you the game live with our commentary team of Ray Scott and John Frost - with thanks to McConnell's Toyota Waterford.

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