THE WATER TORTURE IS EASED BY A FINE WIN
WATERFORD ended an arduous 24 hours with a sliver of solace last night.
Second half goals from Shane Duggan and Zack Elbouzedi at the RSC at least alleviated some of the ill-feeling inside the stadium caused by their shock Europa League expulsion.
With 15 minutes left, Duggan broke the deadlock, punishing Cork slackness.
He was afforded too much time 20 yards out to shimmy past his marker and unleash a shot which zipped beyond Mark Mcnulty.
Elbouzedi then showed his pace in stoppage time by darting all the way up the pitch to stroke the ball past the advancing Cork keeper.
Waterford’s prospects of cutting their projected loss of revenue will depend on how they fare on any claim for compensation from the FAI.
Owner Lee Power, who only three weeks ago lauded John Delaney in the face of the backlash he was receiving over the mysterious €100,000 loan, is now on the warpath against the governing body.
He may just be on solid ground as Delaney and his league director Fran Gavin hadn’t indicated any obstacle to the Blues receiving dispensation for receiving a licence to take up their place in the Europa League in July.
Their confidence in participating, and the suddenness of the change, was evident in last night’s match programme. A full page was devoted to advertising a travel company offering packages to their away leg of the firstround tie.
Unfortunately, their 32-year absence from European competition will be prolonged.
“We feel we have been totally misled by the FAI and were given assurances throughout this five-month process by them that the licence would be granted,” said former Ireland under-21 striker Power yesterday.
“We also had club visits by UEFA delegates during this period in which no issues were raised.
“We will be asking for a full investigation into the FAI handling of this matter.
“I have instructed my UK lawyers to lodge an immediate appeal with UEFA and will pursue any legal avenue we have with regards to compensation and/or any wrong doing against a number of parties.”
It is understood talk of a legal challenge against UEFA’S decision is a non-starter, meaning their only outlet is bringing the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), a costly process. Instead, Power is likely to set his sights on recovering most, or all, of the €240,000 prize-money from the organisation Delaney is currently on gardening leave from.