Mark O’Sullivan scored a priceless first half header that moved Waterford FC back to the summit of the SSE Airtricity League First Division table. With Cobh slipping up away to Athlone Town, the Blues finished the night one point clear at the top with UCD also picking a win over Wexford to move 2nd.
Played in front of a crowd of 1,427, the hosts shaded a game of limited chances as O’Sullivan popped up to head home Derek Daly’s left-wing corner kick in the 19th minute to send the home support into raptures.
Shelbourne started on the front foot however. Dayle Rooney created the first chance of the game inside the opening minute of the tie when he tried his luck with a speculative lob from 25-yards but his effort whistled inches over the crossbar.
Matthew Connor produced the goods to make a fine save to deny the visitors the lead on 12 minutes when Jack Tuite played the ball back into the path of Mark Hughes on the right side of the area but his effort was saved at the near post by the Blues shot-stopper.
After weathering the early strong, Waterford took the lead with their first chance of note when April’s Player of the Month Derek Daly sent over a an excellent corner kick delivery that found the head of striker Mark O’Sullivan who powered home under pressure to hand the Blues the lead.
David McDaid had a good chance to double the Waterford lead three minutes before the break when the striker got clear on the right-side of the penalty area but he failed to spot the run of teammate Mark O’Sullivan before having his effort blocked by defender Derek Prendergast.
HALF TIME 1-0
In a second half of limited chances, the hosts always looked comfortable but were dealt a massive blow with 68 minutes on the clock as central defender Patrick McClean was forced off injured with a recurrence of the shoulder problem that’s been affecting him of late.
Mark O’Sullivan was denied his second goal of the game on 75 minutes when he latched onto a long throw from the right from Garry Comerford but his stunning right-footed effort was saved by the legs of Dean Delany. From the resultant corner, Daly’s delivery again caused problems in the Shelbourne box with impressive league debutant Jack Lynch’s effort went inches wide of the post with Delany beaten.
Blues substitute Conor Whittle came to his side’s rescue in the final minute of the tie when Aaron Ashe latched onto the ball on the edge of the penalty area but his goal-bound effort was superbly blocked as Waterford sealed another solid three points and a welcomed cleansheet.
WATERFORD FC: Matthew Connor; Robin Dempsey – David Mulcahy – Patrick McClean (Jack Lynch ’68) – Derek Daly; Kenny McEvoy (Owen Wall ’88) – Garry Comerford – Anthony McAlavey – Shane O’Connor; Mark O’Sullivan – David McDaid (Conor Whittle ’84)
Unused Subs: Matthew Sheehan, Shane Griffin, John Martin, Dean Walsh
SHELBOURNE: Dean Delany; Jack Tuite, Derek Prendergast, Alan Byrne, Reece McEnteer, James O’Brien (Aaron Ashe `64), David O’Leary, Mark Hughes, Adam Evans, Dayle Rooney, Jackson Ryan (Lorcan Shannon `83)
Unused Subs: Jamie Quinn, Niall Lanigan, Dylan Grimes, James Brown, Aidan Collins
Referee: David Keeler
