Back to match reports index

Friendly - Waterford United V Shamrock Rovers

Our new season opened on a bright note as we took Sahmrock Rovers apart in Ozier Park. The Hoops after beating Northampton 5-3 in midweek came to Waterford with a full team and when home with their tails between their legs. A young Waterford side with 2 new faces in the starting eleven, and 3 more introduced in the second half, came out 2-0 winners in what must be called a very promising display.

The Blues (wearing orange), showed they meant business from kick off as former Carrick United striker Thomas Fitzgerald upended Rovers keeper Tony O'Dowd. This lifted the crowd who have been starved of football for 3 months and set the tempo of the game. The Rovers players were finding it harder on the lush surface as 3 players collided as cashin led them a merry dance. A chance at either end followed as Fitzgerald blasted over from 6 yards, when Rea flicked on a Cashin free kick. Rovers went up field to win a corner and the floated ball found three men unmarked at the back post, but a weak header saw Fenneally gather comfortably. Rovers kept pushing on after this and a Marc Kenny free kick went close, after a silly challenge by Whittle on the end of the box. Waterford then lifted the pace and applied a lot of pressure on the Rovers goal without much success. A break away move by the Hoops saw Fennelly save well from Billy Woods.

With four changes on the Blues team in for the second half, Noel Hunt made an immediate impression after 8 minutes when he out jumped the Rovers defence losing his boot in the process. The speed of Hunt and the power of Bradley were now causing problems for Damien Richardsons side. Waterford were now in total control and shots by Bradley and Cashin and a header by Hunt all went close. It took 32 minutes of the second half for Wateford to finally make the break through as a well placed pass by man of the match Paul Cashin saw Noel Hunt free in the box to calmly control the ball and slip it passed Rovers replacement Keeper Robbie Horgan. Hunt then played like a man pocessed as his persistence led to a Davy Walsh shot after 80 minutes which just sailed over the bar. With 2 minutes to go Ian Barry finally sealed the win after neat play by Hunt in midfield he looped the ball to Barry who struck a powerful shot from 22 yards into the roof of the net. This sent the crowd in Ozier Park home happy, and more importantly manager Paul Power, as they now look forward in optimism to another season, when hopefully the Blues will finally gain promotion to the Premier Division.