By Neil Madigan
John Coleman’s Blues claim a huge 3 points in his first game at helm. Darragh Leahy’s first-half header was the only goal to separate the two sides in a tense but exhilarating affair.
The Blues were back in action at the RSC for newly appointed John Coleman’s first game as Waterford FC manager. This week’s test was a very solid Galway United side, who have been consistently competitive since their return to the top flight last year. Coleman’s side were coming into this game looking to build on the 6 points gained in Dublin against Bohs and Shels over the Bank Holiday weekend. The visitors, on the other hand, were coming into this game looking to bounce back from the rare occurrence of back to back defeats for them last weekend.
With the sun shining, it was set perfect for a new era at the club. The opening exchanges saw the Blue’s brimming with confidence following their recent success, as they were eager to get on the front foot from the very first whistle. The first opening did indeed come for the hosts just after 5 minutes, when Conan Noonan found space on the byline to drill a cross across the box, which was unlucky to find the hands of the goalkeeper. The visitor’s were eager to create some chances of their own but were coming to no avail in the early stages as their only effort was from Cillian Tollett, who saw his header float over the bar, untroubling McMullan on goal.
As we drew closer to the halfway mark of the first half, the Blue’s remained firmly in control of proceedings. As a result, the host’s opportunities were becoming more frequent. One such opportunity was created by Tommy Lonergan and Padraig Amond’s excellent combination play, which broke to Conan Noonan, who missed the mark with his effort flying over the bar. Coonan Noonan was in the thick of it again immediately, as he picked up the ball in space at the edge of the box allowing him to find a perfectly weighted pass through to Padraig Amond, who saw his close range effort brilliantly stopped by Brendan Clarke at his near post.
The Blue’s faithful didn’t have to wait much longer to have something to celebrate as the deadlock was broken from the resulting corner through Darragh Leahy, who found himself on the end of a beautifully executed corner from Noonan giving the keeper no chance. As Coleman’s side finally had their deserved lead, they remained resolute while they weathered a storm of desperation from Galway, who were eager to cancel the deficit immediately. With the first half drawing to a close, the Blue’s were worthy of their lead but with the visitors creeping back into the contest, the stoppage came at the right time for Coleman’s men.
As the second half commenced, John Caulfield’s side were becoming increasingly persistent to stake their claim on the game. As Galway tried to pile the pressure on the hosts, the Blues continued to keep them at arm’s length, as they continued to make chances of their own. Ten minutes into the second half, talisman Amond found himself at the end of a looping ball over the top, where he was able to get a shot on target forcing Brendan Clarke into another good stop. As the contest went past the hour mark, Waterford remained unharmed as Galway struggled to create any clear cut chances.With this in mind, there was a sense of cautious optimism around the RSC as the contest was far from concluded.
With 15 minutes to go, the Blue’s chances weren’t diminishing as they continued to test the Galway keeper. This time the chance came through Tommy Lonergan, who received the ball in space allowing himself to have an effort from range which was ultimately pushed away from Brendan Clarke. Moments later, a golden opportunity arose to put the game to bed as Conan Noonan pounced on a breaking ball to lead a Blue’s counter, in which he caught in the final moments by the scrambling Galway defence. This lively spell didn’t end there for Coleman’s men, as another counter attack saw Padraig Amond get the ball across the box to an unmarked Kyle White, who was brilliantly denied by Clarke. From this, Galway were not done yet.
A set piece drifting into the 6 yard box was met by Patrick Hickey, who was somehow also denied by a spectacular Stephen McMullan save. With the closing embers of the game, producing some tense but exhilarating football, one final big chance fell to the valiant Waterford again. Lonergan, who combined with Amond once again, saw his close range effort just miss the far post leaving Waterford with only the sole goal lead to hold on to in additional time.
As the final whistle blew, there was a huge sigh of relief around the RSC. Coleman’s side got the job done in his first game at the helm, claiming a massive three points. Attentions now turn to table topping Shamrock Rovers as the Blues will entertain them next Friday at the RSC.
Waterford FC: Stephen McMullan, Ryan Burke, Grant Horton, James Olayinka, Padraig Amond, Darragh Leahy, Kyle White, Kacper Radkowski, Tommy Lonergan, Sam Glenfield, Conan Noonan.
Galway United FC: Brendan Clarke, Cian Byrne, Regan Donelon (63′ Colm Horgan), Rob Slevin, Killian Brouder, Moses Dyer (75′ Stephen Walsh) , David Hurley, Patrick Hickey, Conor McCormack (63′ Sean Kerrigan), Cillian Tollett (63′ Ed McCarthy), Jeannot Esua.
Attendance: 1,937.
