Noel Hunt scored a hat-trick as Waterford FC advanced to the Second Round of the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup after a 4-1 win against a tough Skerries Town side on Saturday afternoon.
Hunt and Gavan Holohan has the Blues 2-0 up at the break but striker Brian Snowe brought Skerries back into the game at the start of the second half.
Despite the home side having chances, two further goals from Hunt sealed progression.
Credit to Skerries Town who put it up to the Blues on a windy day in North Dublin, but it was to be progression for the Blues and an away tie against Drogheda United up next.
Izzy Akinade struck the crossbar and Sander Puri forced home keeper Davis into a smart save as the Blues looked to strike early.
And it was Hunt who had the Blues in front midway through the first half when he caught out Town keeper Davis from 40 yards to open the scoring.
Puri struck the woodwork but it was 2-0 nine minutes the break; Paul Keegan’s corner found Gavan Holohan and he fired high into the back of the net.
Brian Snowe set up Bob McKenna to round Corbet but he could only find the side netting, while at the other end Hunt saw a brilliant free kick disallowed for an apparent offside.
The home side got back into the game eight minutes after half time. Brian Snowe picked up possession before finding the top corner with huge celebrations at Skerries Rugby Club.
But it was two goals in the final five minutes that ensures the Blues progressed – Noel Hunt heading home two Paul Keegan corners for a 4-1 win.
Skerries Town: Shane Davis, Emmet Mullin, Paul O’Carroll, Ken Costello, Keith O’Callaghan, Shane Kelly (Dara Walsh), Ross Hopkins, Eoghan Dempsey, Bob McKenna (Shane Langan), Brian Snowe (Reece Weldon), Darren Lynch
Waterford FC: Niall Corbet, Dessie Hutchinson, Renārs Rode, Garry Comerford, Dylan Barnett, Paul Keegan, Bastien Héry (Noe Baba 87), Gavan Holohan, Sander Puri, Noel Hunt (Dean O’Halloran 89), Izzy Akinade (Courtney Duffus 63)
Referee: David Dunne
