The Blues fell to a narrow defeat at Tallaght Stadium against Shamrock Rovers, as Graham Burke’s first-half effort proved the difference between the sides.
Jon Daly made three changes to his line-up ahead of kick-off, with Evan McLaughlin, Conan Noonan & Dean McMenamy all coming into the Blues starting-eleven.
Just two minutes later, it was the blues who threatened as Pádraig Amond found his way though on goal before forcing Ed McGinty into a smart low save inside the Hoops penalty area to keep the score level.
The opening chance of the game came on 8′, when Mulraney’s pull back fell to Matt Healy for the Hoops, as he saw his initial effort blocked before curling his rebound effort wide of Arlo Doherty’s goal.
Victor Ozhianvuna twice tried his luck from distance early on for Stephen Bradley’s side, but neither effort would force Arlo Doherty into action.
It was the 24th minute when Shamrock Rovers opened the scoring, as Enda Stevens pull-back found Graham Burke inside the Waterford penalty area, as the Hoops number 10 calmly slotted home to break the deadlock.
The hosts looked to find a second on 37′, as Graham Burke turned played in Michael Noonan who forced Arlo Doherty into a strong low-save, before Kevin Long used his experience to head the loose ball out fora corner kick while in a sitting position on the ground at the near post.
Michael Noonan rattled the Blues post in the final minutes of action after getting on the end of Roberto Lopes’ long-clearance, as the Hoops held a narrow lead going into the half-time break.
Pádraig Amond gave us the first effort of the second-half, after getting on the end of Hayden Cann’s long-ball over the Shamrock Rovers defence, as the Blues skipper controlled the through ball before firing into the legs of Ed McGinty who stood tall in the hosts goal.
John Mahon & Kevin Long both put their bodies on the line to deny efforts from Matt Healy & Victor Ozhianvuna, with the hosts making full use of their bench just after the hour mark making their maximum five changes within a four minute period. Shortly after, Jon Daly made his first two substitutions, with Sam Glenfield, Jorgen Voilas & Trae Coyle all entering the field of play as the Blues looked to find an equaliser.
Evan McLaughlin broke through the Shamrock Rovers defence inside the final twenty minutes, firing narrowly over McGinty’s crossbar, before just moments later substitute Jorgen Voilas saw his effort blocked deep inside the Hoops penalty area as the Blues continued to search for an equaliser.
Tommy Lonergan saw a lobbed effort fly inches wide of McGinty’s crossbar after picking up a misplaced pass in the final minute of normal time, as the Hoops saw out the additional minutes to secure all three points.
Shamrock Rovers FC: McGinty (GK); Sobowale, Lopes (C) (67′ Grace), Stevens; Mulraney (63′ Matthews), Ozhianvuna, Healy, Byrne (63′ Watts), Brennan (67′ Asamoah); Burke (67′ Greene), Noonan.
Waterford FC: Doherty (GK); Houston (83′ Lonergan), Cann, Long, Mahon, Couto; McMenamy (83′ Faria), McLaughlin (77′ Coyle), Noonan; Carty (71′ Voilas), Amond (C) (71′ Glenfield).
Attendance: 4.433.
