League Report: Waterford United 1 - 0 Cabinteely

A fantastic long distance strike from Cory Galvin late in the game was enough to secure all three points at the RSC for Waterford United in an entertaining encounter with Cabinteely which moves the Suirsiders off the bottom of the table and above their visitors from South Dublin.

The outcome of this clash in the First Division may not have been settled until the final few minutes of the game but there were chances to break the deadlock from very early on in a game that did not lack in quality and did not play out like two sides who are battling it out at the lower end of the table.

In the second minute a swift move from defence, which has now become a Blues trait under the guidance of Roddy Collins, found Cory Galvin on the left wing. The tricky youngster from Cork cut inside and played an inch perfect pass through the Cabinteely defence and into the path of Mark Walsh who although clear on goal was unable to get the ball out from under his feet and strike an effort on goal.

It was not until the 25th minute that Cabinteely had a sight on goal. Michael Brown broke down a Waterford attack deep inside of his own half and set off at speed down the left wing.  His delivery to the centre was met by Kevin Knight but his effort was bundled away for a corner by Blues stopper Robert Birdsall.

The best chance of the half fell to Kevin Knight in the 35th minute. Richard Purdy, who was impressive for Cabinteely, played Knight in behind the United defense and into acres of space.  Knight bolted into the box but his shot was well saved by the alert and advancing Robert Birdsall.

On the stroke of half-time the energetic Cory Galvin had the last say with an effort from outside of the box but he could not keep the ball on target and it sailed over bar and wide as the referee signalled for the break.

Six minutes into the second half and Mark Walsh raced from the halfway line onto a ball over the top of a Cabinteely defense who had pushed up. He took the ball under control and spotted the advancing Cory Galvin in the box but under pressure from the centre half pairing of Edward McDonagh and Victor Ekanem he was unable to find his team mate and the ball was cleared by the visitors.

Cabinteely fashioned a fantastic chance in the 57th minute and should really have taken the lead.  A fine ball from the centre circle which was delivered by Richard Purdy found Kevin Knight on the left hand side of the Waterford penalty area. Knight sent a first time pass across the box towards Stephen Hanley who failed to get a shot on goal with no defenders in attendance. He did however manage to lay the ball back to Stephen Dunne who had drove a strike wide of the mark.

Cabinteely wasted a golden opportunity to hit the back of the net in the 72nd minute. Stephen Dunne fired a shot towards goal which was blocked but found its way to Richard Purdy who in turn hit a strike from just inside of the penalty area.  Robert Birdsall got down to save at the feet of substitute Sodiq Oguntola but the ball deflected out and made its way to Dunne on the penalty spot who drove over the bar. The midfielder knows himself that the back of the net should have bulged.

With five minutes left on the clock, Cory Galvin took the ball down in midfield. He broke away from Richard Purdy and set off at high speed towards the Cabinteely goal. He pulled the trigger with his right boot 25 yards from goal and curled a beautiful shot beyond the helpless Cathal Gillen in the Cabo goal to claim the three points for Waterford United.

The Waterford faithfull had waited a long time to see their side win a home match but it was worth the wait just to see a winning goal of such class for the 348 people who watched the match at the RSC.

Eddie Gormley might feel that his side deserved a point as they certainly had the chances to hit the back of the net and had one of those efforts gone in the game may have turned out very different for the Dublin side.

Roddy Collins on the other hand will be delighted that his young and talented side bagged the three points and he will now hope that they can finish the season strongly and gain some much needed momentum and confidence for next season. A season that many at the RSC feel might just be the long awaited ‘one’.

Waterford United:Robert Birdsall; Robbie Buckley, Colum Nugent, Shane Mackey, Dean Reidy (Brian Nolan 49); Anthony McAlavey, Evan Galvin, Ethan Boyle (c), Cory Galvin; Mark Walsh (Adam Prendergast 74), Aaron O’Connor.

Subs Not Used: Matthew Connor.

Yellow Cards: McAlavey (49), Birdsall (90).

Cabinteely FC: Cathal Gillen; Karl Byrne, Victor Ekanem, Edward McDonagh, Kevin Knight; Stephen Dunne, Richard Purdy, John McKeown (c), Michael Brown; Sean Burke (Oguntola 65), Stephen Hanley.

Subs Not Used: Aaron Brilly, Daniel Campbell, Jamie McGlynn.

Yellow Cards: McDonagh (42), Ekanem (56).

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea.

Attendance:348.

Extratime.ie Man of the Match:Cory Galvin (Waterford United).