Waterford United 2 – 1 Rockmount
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Waterford United claimed the Munster Senior Cup with a tight 2-1 victory over Rockmount FC. Goals from David Grincell and Gary Dunphy secured the win for the Blues but they were pushed all the way by the Cork side who pulled a goal back through Ross Gallaghan.
As the gentle evening sunshine washed over Turner’s Cross, the first half took the form of a relaxing stroll with Waterford well in charge. The Suirsiders were rarely threatened by their less illustrious opponents and were greatly helped by netting as early as the sixth minute. Gary Dunphy was allowed space deep on the right and his cross was chested down by David Grincell, the striker getting a rare chance up top in place of Willie John Kiely. The ball bounced behind him but he swiveled to direct the ball beyond a helpless Mark Power. A perfect start for the First Division side and Grincell looked eager to impress his manager. The number ten cut inside from the left on the 14th minute but smashed his effort down the throat of the grateful ‘keeper. Rockmount’s first and only real chance of the half came in the 29th minute. Waterford were penalised harshly for a shoulder by Kevin Waters on the right side of their penalty area. Willie Byrne swung the ball onto the stooping head of Steven Yelverton but his flicked header went over the bar.
Waterford maintained their dominance as the half wore on and doubled their lead on 42 minutes. Grincell slid Dunphy through and the winger advanced on goal before having his foot caught by Pat Keane as he prepared to pull the trigger. As his brother and new Ipswich manager Roy watched on, the Rockmount man could consider himself lucky to escape with only a yellow.
The Cork side made a change at half-time, bringing Aidan O’ Mahony on for Yelverton. The half was just under five minutes old when referee Eddie McNally awarded his second penalty of the half. This time it came for the Leesiders as John Kearney, Michael Devine and Ross Gallaghan all jumped for a high ball in the Waterford box and the outcome was a Rockmount penalty and a booking for Kearney. The incident seemed to be more of a coming together of three players going for a ball than a foul but that didn’t stop Gallaghan dusting himself down and sending Devine the wrong way to pull his side back into the game. The goal stung Rockmount into life and they finally began to attack this Waterford side. They could even have been level again amazingly on 51 minutes. Substitute O’ Mahony charged down a delayed Waters clearance and Devine watched on as the ball went narrowly wide.
The game had finally gone up a gear and Waterford had shooting opportunities on 55 and 63 minutes, Alan Carey and Graham Cummins misplacing these chances respectively. On the 65th minute Stephen Henderson decided to bring top scorer Kiely into the game. He almost had an immediate impact as he crossed low for Grincell at the near-post, Power managed to block with his foot from close range. The game descended into a scrappy dogfight as it entered the final 20 minutes. Neither side was capable of retaining possession and traded half-chances. Blues sub Declan Woodgate almost scored from a wayward cross which Power did well to touch over the bar before Devine clawed away a Byrne inswinging free which came through a pile of bodies at pace. The final chance of the game came in the 92nd minute when Kiely closed down Stephen Montgomery before snatching at a shot from outside the area.
The final whistle confirmed a deserved win for Waterford but they were made to fight every step of the way in the second half by a resilient Rockmount side. The travelling Blues support watched from the pitch as their team made their way up the steps to receive their medals. Captain Michael Devine hoisted the trophy above his head triumphantly but later dropped it as he posed for pictures. It may have been an embarrassing moment for the goalkeeper but he can at least comfort himself that it’s his drops seem to come off the pitch.
Waterford United: Michael Devine; Alan Carey, Kevin Murray, Kenny Browne, Kevin Waters; John Kearney (Declan Woodgate 71), Kieran Fitzgerald (Willie John Kiely 65), Paul McCarthy, Gary Dunphy (Joe Mulcahy 93); David Grincell, Graham Cummins Subs not Used: Paul Carey
Rockmount: Mark Power; Gearoid O’ Leary, Kenneth Hoey, Stephen Montgomery. Willie Byrne; Colin O’ Shea (Ruairi Beechinor 76), Steven Yelverton (Aidan O’ Mahony 45), Pat Keane, Alan King; Ross Gallaghan, Christopher Butt Subs not Used: Philip Cunningham, Colin O’ Sullivan, Graham Wilshaw.
Referee: Eddie McNally (Cork)
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: David Grincell. Slim pickings individually but Grincell never stopped trying and got himself on the score sheet.
As the gentle evening sunshine washed over Turner’s Cross, the first half took the form of a relaxing stroll with Waterford well in charge. The Suirsiders were rarely threatened by their less illustrious opponents and were greatly helped by netting as early as the sixth minute. Gary Dunphy was allowed space deep on the right and his cross was chested down by David Grincell, the striker getting a rare chance up top in place of Willie John Kiely. The ball bounced behind him but he swiveled to direct the ball beyond a helpless Mark Power. A perfect start for the First Division side and Grincell looked eager to impress his manager. The number ten cut inside from the left on the 14th minute but smashed his effort down the throat of the grateful ‘keeper. Rockmount’s first and only real chance of the half came in the 29th minute. Waterford were penalised harshly for a shoulder by Kevin Waters on the right side of their penalty area. Willie Byrne swung the ball onto the stooping head of Steven Yelverton but his flicked header went over the bar.
Waterford maintained their dominance as the half wore on and doubled their lead on 42 minutes. Grincell slid Dunphy through and the winger advanced on goal before having his foot caught by Pat Keane as he prepared to pull the trigger. As his brother and new Ipswich manager Roy watched on, the Rockmount man could consider himself lucky to escape with only a yellow.
The Cork side made a change at half-time, bringing Aidan O’ Mahony on for Yelverton. The half was just under five minutes old when referee Eddie McNally awarded his second penalty of the half. This time it came for the Leesiders as John Kearney, Michael Devine and Ross Gallaghan all jumped for a high ball in the Waterford box and the outcome was a Rockmount penalty and a booking for Kearney. The incident seemed to be more of a coming together of three players going for a ball than a foul but that didn’t stop Gallaghan dusting himself down and sending Devine the wrong way to pull his side back into the game. The goal stung Rockmount into life and they finally began to attack this Waterford side. They could even have been level again amazingly on 51 minutes. Substitute O’ Mahony charged down a delayed Waters clearance and Devine watched on as the ball went narrowly wide.
The game had finally gone up a gear and Waterford had shooting opportunities on 55 and 63 minutes, Alan Carey and Graham Cummins misplacing these chances respectively. On the 65th minute Stephen Henderson decided to bring top scorer Kiely into the game. He almost had an immediate impact as he crossed low for Grincell at the near-post, Power managed to block with his foot from close range. The game descended into a scrappy dogfight as it entered the final 20 minutes. Neither side was capable of retaining possession and traded half-chances. Blues sub Declan Woodgate almost scored from a wayward cross which Power did well to touch over the bar before Devine clawed away a Byrne inswinging free which came through a pile of bodies at pace. The final chance of the game came in the 92nd minute when Kiely closed down Stephen Montgomery before snatching at a shot from outside the area.
The final whistle confirmed a deserved win for Waterford but they were made to fight every step of the way in the second half by a resilient Rockmount side. The travelling Blues support watched from the pitch as their team made their way up the steps to receive their medals. Captain Michael Devine hoisted the trophy above his head triumphantly but later dropped it as he posed for pictures. It may have been an embarrassing moment for the goalkeeper but he can at least comfort himself that it’s his drops seem to come off the pitch.
Waterford United: Michael Devine; Alan Carey, Kevin Murray, Kenny Browne, Kevin Waters; John Kearney (Declan Woodgate 71), Kieran Fitzgerald (Willie John Kiely 65), Paul McCarthy, Gary Dunphy (Joe Mulcahy 93); David Grincell, Graham Cummins Subs not Used: Paul Carey
Rockmount: Mark Power; Gearoid O’ Leary, Kenneth Hoey, Stephen Montgomery. Willie Byrne; Colin O’ Shea (Ruairi Beechinor 76), Steven Yelverton (Aidan O’ Mahony 45), Pat Keane, Alan King; Ross Gallaghan, Christopher Butt Subs not Used: Philip Cunningham, Colin O’ Sullivan, Graham Wilshaw.
Referee: Eddie McNally (Cork)
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: David Grincell. Slim pickings individually but Grincell never stopped trying and got himself on the score sheet.
About Dean Hayes
Dean covers Waterford United and, due to a challenge from Gareth, writes in an increasingly Gonzo style. Having found himself with a considerable surplus of a culinary herb, Dean founded sister 'site extrathyme.ie some years … View Full Profile