Waterford FC made a winning return to action after John Martin’s goal secured a 1-0 win away to Shelbourne.
The only goal of the team’s first game back arrived after 12 minutes when Kurtis Byrne switched the ball to Tyreke Wilson on the left. His left-wing cross found Tunmise Sobowale at the back to head the ball back across the goal. Matty Smith couldn’t get the contact to finish but John Martin was on hand to fire home.
Shelbourne offered little as they searched for an equaliser in the first half with the Blues defence dealing well with any Shels attack. Shane Griffin that had an early chance in the second half but he dragged an effort from distance wide of McCabe’s goal.
Matty Smith linked up with Tyreke Wilson inside the penalty area just past the hour mark at the Blues looked for a second goal but his shot was saved by McCabe.
Shelbourne did have a great chance to level but it took a brilliant block from Blues centre back Robbie McCourt to deny Karl Sheppard a certain goal and secure the three points for John Sheridan.
Shelbourne: Colin McCabe, Aidan Friel, Daniel Byrne, Luke Byrne, Lorcan Fitzgerald (Alex O’Hanlon 77), Gary Deegan, Brian McManus (Sean Quinn 70), Alex Cetiner, Karl Sheppard (Shane Rooney 70), Jaze Kabia, Aaron Dobbs (Ciaran Kilduff 77)
Waterford FC: Brian Murphy, Tunmise Sobowale (Darragh Power 90), Sam Bone, Robbie McCourt, Tyreke Wilson, Robbie Weir, Shane Griffin, John Martin (Will Longbottom 60), Matty Smith, Ali Coote, Kurtis Byrne (Alex Phelan 84)
Referee: Ben Connolly
