By Neil Madigan
The Blues put in a competitive showing on Monday evening as they were dealt a blow by high-flying Shamrock Rovers. Goals from Josh Honohan and Matt Healy aswell a consolation from Tommy Lonergan saw Rovers take away all three points.
Following a month away from home, the Blues were back on home soil to host a strong Shamrock Rovers side, who are coasting their way to yet another league title.
For the visitors, their domestic dominance has well and truly returned this year as they continue to close in on their 22nd league triumph. With a place booked in this year’s edition of the UEFA Conference League, they were coming to the RSC looking to get domestic matters concluded as soon as possible, in order to shift their focus to Europe.
With the contest getting underway, the Blues looked the liveliest of both sides. Although the visitors saw most of the ball, Coleman’s side looked to press from the front, testing the usual confidence and swagger of the Rovers defence. This was seen almost immediately as James Olayinka pounced on the visitors first mix up of the game by quickly finding Amond, who had his shot well blocked by the retreating Rovers defence.
With the game progressing, the Blues continued to hang in waiting for a Hoops error. With 15 minutes on the clock, yet another opportunity presented itself for the Blues. A loose ball from Adam Matthews was intercepted by Olayinka once again, who tested his luck from range but was ultimately unable to test the keeper.
With Stephen Bradley’s side trying to find some encouragement with increasing amounts of possession, the Blues refused to lie down. As the hosts remained resolute at the back, keeping Rovers at bay, they continued to try to utilise some impressive counter attacks. With the half approaching its half way point, was the arriving Sam Glenfeld, who nearly had the best moment from these attempted counters, as his effort from range narrowly skimmed past McGinty’s far post.
This triggered Rovers to produce an almost instant response of their own as Dan Cleary found himself on the end of a deep set piece which forced McMullan into an outstanding save. Minutes later, this sudden Rovers onslaught was to be rewarded as a long throw was flicked on to recent Irish International, Josh Honohan who tapped home to give the visitors the lead.
With Rovers brimming with renewed confidence, Waterford were up against it with Bradley’s side eager to immediately pull away. A ball across the box was met at speed by an outstretched Grant Horton, who was lucky that McMullan got in the way of preventing an own goal and the second of the night for the Hoops.
As the half drew to a close, Coleman’s men were not ready to let the game slide away that easy. With some decisions going against the Blues, they continued to get forward in numbers with the link up play between Amond and Olayinka becoming a theme of the first half. This time, a brilliant touch from the skipper found Olayinka who was unlucky to have an effort blocked at the edge of the box.
With the first half coming to a close, there was a sense of positivity in the air amongst the home faithful with the contest far from being over.
The beginning of the second half portrayed a level of scrappiness as both sides struggled to get a foothold of proceedings. With loose possession not being handled, Rovers saw the first opening just before the 50minute mark. John McGovern, who had been questioning the Blues defence with his speed, managed to get control of the ball, before finding Danny Mandriou who was then instantly closed down.
This looked to be a wake up call for the Blues as they began to ramp up their efforts to replicate the intensity they ended the first half with. Chances began to fall their way as they refused to bow out of the game at ease. The biggest chance coming just before the hour mark as Kacper Radkowski found himself on the end of some back and forth in the box, which was ultimately safely handled by McGinty.
With nothing coming Waterford’s way and there just being over 20 minutes to go, the game was beginning to become out of reach for the Blues. With this in mind, Rovers looked to exploit the spaces given to them by the overly eager Blues, who were frantically chasing the game. This was to be the case almost immediately, as Matt Healy found himself with acres of space allowing him to slot home from range ending any doubt about their 3 points on the road.
The Blues continued to fight, and deservedly pulled one back through Tommy Lonergan as he chested down the ball before firing into the top left-corner on his weaker left-foot to half the deficit, going into four minutes of injury time.
This goal did prove to be too little too late for Coleman and his side. A trip to Tolka Park to face current champions Shelbourne will prove to be a massive occasion as the Blues look to pick up a monumental win this Friday.
Waterford FC: Stephen McMullan, Ryan Burke, Grant Horton, James Olayinka, Padraig Amond, Jesse Dempsey (81′ Kyle White), Kacper Radkowski, Sam Glenfield, Josh Miles (87′ Muhammadu Faal), Jordan Rossiter, Trae Coyle (57′ Tommy Lonergan).
Shamrock Rovers FC: Ed McGinty, Josh Honohan, Adam Matthews, Roberto Lopes, Daniel Cleary, Aaron McEneff (70′ Rory Gaffney), Danny Mandriou (70′ Dylan Watts), Darragh Nugent, Matt Healy (87′ Gary O’Neill), Cory O’Sullivan, John McGovern (70′ Graham Burke).
Attendance: 2,312.
