Waterford FC return to FAI Cup action tonight as they welcome First Division opposition to the RSC, with Athlone Town the visitors for a third-round tie.

Kick-off is at 7.45 pm, with Graham Coughlan’s side looking to book their place in the quarter-finals and continue what has been an excellent run of form at home.

The Blues have won their last two games at the RSC, overcoming Shelbourne 1-0 before producing an impressive 3-1 victory over Bohemians last weekend.

Tommy Lonergan opened the scoring against Bohs before Pádraig Amond took centre stage, scoring twice to complete a convincing win.

Amond has already played a major role in Waterford’s FAI Cup campaign this season. His late goal against Cobh Ramblers in the second round came in the 93rd minute, securing a dramatic 2-1 victory and sending the Blues through.

Waterford will now be hoping to take another step towards a potential cup run, with the quarter-finals within reach.

Coughlan has no fresh injury concerns following Sunday’s victory. Benny Couto, who picked up cramp late in that game, has trained during the week and is available, while Will Johnson remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

The Waterford manager says his players are hungry to get back onto the pitch and has challenged them to maintain the standards they have shown in recent weeks.

Coughlan is also refusing to look too closely at previous meetings between the sides, insisting his focus is solely on getting the job done tonight.

Athlone arrive in Waterford after beating Longford Town 2-1 in the First Division last weekend and have already eliminated Midleton from the cup. They also have a recent history of causing problems for Waterford, winning 3-2 after extra-time at the RSC in the 2024 competition.

But the focus for the Blues will be on themselves and maintaining their impressive home form.

A third consecutive victory at the RSC would send Waterford into the next round of the FAI Cup with plenty of confidence and keep their hopes of a deep run in the competition alive.

Waterford FC v Athlone Town, Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup third round, RSC, 7.45 pm tonight.

We will have live updates from Ray Scott throughout the Game on WLR.

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