Having picked up five points from three games since the resumption of the SSE Airtricity League, it's clear that John Sheridan's appointment at Waterford United is paying dividends.
However, a recent verbal argument with Dundalk manager Vinny Perth has taken some of the gloss off a fantastic match at Oriel Park.
With ten minutes remaining, Waterford were leading 2-0 against the champions before Alistair Coote was sent off. Patrick Hoban and Daniel Cleary secured a point for Dundalk in the end, with tempers becoming flared on the sideline.
After the game, Dundalk manager Vinny Perth had words with Sheridan, accusing the former Irish international of disrespecting the League of Ireland by calling it a "pub league."
Speaking with RTÉ after the game, Perth said: "I'm a League of Ireland fan, I have been for a long time. There were some comments made that were disrespectful towards our league and I don't like them. They came from John [Sheridan]. He was an amazing player, I remember watching him in the World Cup, but this isn't a pub league, this isn't a shambles of a league.
"Those comments aren't good enough. Whatever about me, and he can have a smart comment about where I stand and the pressure I'm under, but this isn't a pub league. This is a very good league with great people in it. I won't have anyone disrespecting the League of Ireland, it's too important. You've got to have a bit more class about you than that in my opinion."
"You've got to have a bit more class than that in my opinion" - A passionate response from Vinny Perth, speaking to @Corktod, after he claimed Waterford boss John Sheridan called the LOI a "pub league" #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/84RIcGNmOJ
— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) August 14, 2020
The Dundalk manager doubled-down on these comments during another interview with journalist Gerry Malone.
"His comments are separate to the game, they deserved their result and full respect to them. John Sheridan is a hero of mine - that midfield he played in during World Cup '94 was amazing - but calling this a pub league, a shambles of a league, I can't accept that. That disappoints me. I didn't challenge him on that, he came after me. He shouted that onto the pitch a couple of times, even at his own players. If I played for Waterford, I'd have walked off. This is why you're playing in this league? Because it's a fucking pub league? Excuse my French. I can't accept that. As a part of League of Ireland football, we have to have a higher standard than that.
"That might be acceptable in the lower leagues in England. Listen, he's disrespected me and the league tonight. He told me that I'm getting sacked anyway - which is fine, I don't mind that part of it. It's the disrespect to the league. Listen, it's a brilliant league full of brilliant people. If Waterford are happy to have someone in charge who's in charge in a pub league, that's their own business. I wish John well, but class is permanent," said Perth.
When asked by Tony O'Donoghue about the few words he had with the Dundalk manager, Sheridan initially replied by saying: "Who?"
At this point, O'Dongohue informed Sheridan that Perth is the Dundalk manager.
The former Irish international then replies by saying: "Oh, is that his name, yeah? Vinny Perth? Right. Yeah, I don't know what he was going on about. He needs to worry about his own team."
A response that won't be well received in Dundalk.
As for the two sides, Dundalk will be looking to get their title bid back on track when they travel to Sligo next Friday, while Waterford are also heading to the Showgrounds for a midweek match against the Bit 'O Red this Tuesday.
You can listen to Sheridan's comments to RTÉ below.
Waterford boss John Sheridan spoke to @Corktod after a heated evening at Oriel Park #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/9XDbLx8Gqc
— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) August 15, 2020
