Waterford FC ended the season in 6th place after a 4-2 win over UCD at the RSC on Friday night.
Shane Duggan opened the scoring before Jack Keaney levelled from the penalty spot for UCD. Georgie Poynton put the Blues back in front before the break with Zack Elbouzedi and Michael O’Connor adding further to the scoreline. Jack Keaney scored a second penalty late but the home side were worthy of the points.
Waterford FC started brightly and forced UCD keeper Gavin Sheridan into an early save when Kevin Lynch’s cross found JJ Lunney but the keeper got down well. Rob Slevin came to Blues rescue as the visitors looked to open the scoring, but Sean McDonald couldn’t get his strike away as the defender made an important block.
Mark Dignam forced Matthew Connor into a good save before Walter Figueira hit the woodwork at the other end for Waterford FC. A well-worked corner kick from the home side saw Michael O’Connor step over Tom Holland’s corner but Zack Elbouzedi’s strike hit the crossbar.
The Blues opened the scoring 23 minutes. O’Connor crossed from the left and midfielder Shane Duggan swung to shoot as Liam Scales tried to clear and the ball flew past keeper Sheridan into the back of the net.
UCD equalised nine minutes later, though as Shane Duggan fouled Dara Keane and Jack Keaney fired past Matthew Connor for 1-1.
Georgie Poynton replaced the injured Duggan as half time approached and he put Waterford FC back in front. Liam Scales was adjudged to have fouled Walter Figueira and Poynton sent keeper Sheridan the wrong way.
Two goals in four minutes at the start of the second half sealed the points for Alan Reynolds’ side. First, Walter Figueira and Kevin Lynch did the work down the left before crossing; Zack Elbouzedi picked up the ball at the back post before firing into the top corner.
Elbouzedi then turned provider as he crossed for striker Michael O’Connor to head past Sheridan for 4-1.
UCD reduced the deficit with five minutes remaining. Kevin Lynch was adjudged to have handled in the penalty and Jack Keaney fired home the resulting penalty to make it 4-2, but the Blues were well worth the points.
Waterford FC: Matthew Connor, Rory Feely, Maxi Kouogun, Rob Slevin, Kevin Lynch, Shane Duggan (Georgie Poynton 39), Tom Holland, JJ Lunney, Zack Elbouzedi, Michael O’Connor (Dean O’Halloran 76), Walter Figueira (Will Fitzgerald 54).
UCD: Gavin Sheridan, Evan Farrell, Mark Dignam, Liam Scales, Harry McEvoy, Jack Keaney, Dara Keane (Ciaran Behan 59), Richie O’Farrell, Sean McDonald (Danu Kinsella Bishop 59), Liam Kerrigan, Jason McClelland (Sam Byrne 87).
Referee: Anthony Buttimer