O’KEEFFE’S FOCUSED ON FINN HARPS
NIALL O’Keeffe is under no illusions as to the significance of Waterford’s RSC clash with Finn Harps tonight.
The Blues go into the Premier Division game knowing that failure to win will seriously hinder their hopes of avoiding the promotion-relegation playoff showdown.
Marc Bircham’s men currently occupy the playoff spot behind Harps, Drogheda United and Dundalk.
“Everything is focused on Harps and there’s nothing else in my head right now,” said O’Keeffe, whose outstanding form this season resulted in his recent Ireland U-21 squad call-up.
“It’s a huge game and probably the biggest of the season so far.
Table
“We definitely need three points to bring us up the table and bring them close enough to where we are. It’s the opposite if they win and even Drogheda are still around so the focus is really on this game.”
He also told WLR: “It’s important that we get a fast start so if we can get on the front foot and get an early goal then that would put them back while giving us momentum.
“A huge crowd can play a huge role in getting us those three points.”
The Blues will line out without suspended striker Prince Mutswunguma and defender Darragh Power.
But Bircham is urging his side to rigorously pursue their path to safety.
“The lads have done fantastically well, we’re coming into the final part of the season so it’s important that we finish the job off,” he said.
“Harps are a good team and people like to label them as a bit of a long ball team. They are not, they can get it down and they’ve got some decent players.
“In our last game against Sligo Rovers I felt that we played really well and could have got more from it than a point.”
Bircham is looking forward to handing new midfielder Ronaldo Romario Green (20) his debut although that may not happen this evening.
“I think that it’s Ronaldo’s first time out of the Bahamas so coming here is like being in the South Pole for him!
“At the moment he’s wrapped up like the Michelin man!
“He’s done even better in training than I thought that he would.
“It a real change in climate for him and environment but the lads have seen that he’s come in and is really hungry to do well.
“It’s a long shot for us when you take a lad from the Bahamas to play in the League of Ireland.
“But he’s got the hunger in his eyes to do it so hopefully he can be successful. Hopefully we can see the best of him in a couple of weeks because he’s still got to catch up physically and adapt into the environment which he looks as if he is taking in his stride.
“Only time will tell.” Harps make the long journey south without the suspended Ethan Boyle, Sean Boyd and Ryan Connolly.