FAI Cup Report: Dundalk 1 - 0 Waterford

David Wilson reports from Oriel Park

League Champions Dundalk are into the second round of the Extra.ie FAI Cup after a battling 1-0 win over Waterford F.C.

A first half header from Sean Hoare meant that Dundalk are in Wednesday’s second round draw.

Dundalk manager Vinny Perth made six changes to his side following last Fridays defeat to Bohemians as Cameron Dummigan, Brian Gartland, Sean Hoare, Darragh Leahy, Greg Sloggett and Will Patching replaced Sean Gannon, Dan Cleary, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey. Jordan Flores and Daniel Kelly.

Newly appointed Dundalk assistant manager Alan Reynolds was facing his former employers where he held the managerial post for the first time since leaving the club a short time ago.

John Sheridan also made six  changes from the drab Munster derby 0-0 draw at home to Cork City with Tadhg Ryan, Niall O’Keeffe, Jake Davidson, Will Longbottom, Will Fitzgerald and John Martin replace Brian Murphy, Tyreke Wilson, Ali Coote, Michael O’Connor, Kurtis Byrne and Shane Griffin.

Dundalk started the game brightly with Dummigan linking well with Sloggett and Stefan Colovic down the right. Waterford deployed a 5-3-2 system in the hope that they could force the champions wide.

The opening chance fell the way of the Lilywhites. Patching pounced onto a loose pass before being fouled just inside the D after some neat footwork, however the resulting free kick was hit tamely into the wall and was deflected out for a corner.

Perth’s side continued to dominate the ball with the Blues only threatening occasionally on the counterattack through Martin, Longbottom and Fitzgerald.

17 minutes in and Chris Shields went down under the challenge of Robert Weir on the right-hand side, about five yards in from the touchline. Weir was infuriated with the decision, exclaiming that the Dundalk holding midfielder ‘dived’.

The delivery from the right from Colovic was a delicious in-swinging delivery and was met squarely by the head of Sean Hoare, which powered beyond Tadhg Ryan in the Waterford goal. The away side’s marking was non-existent.

Just three minutes later Waterford had the ball in the goal at the other end after Sam Bone whipped a ball in behind the Dundalk defence onto the head of John Martin who nodded over Gary Rogers and into the net, however he was adjudged to have been offside.

In the 22^nd minute Shields had a volleyed effort from 24 yards, but it was deflected over as Dundalk looked to turn the screw.

Just after the half hour mark, centre-half Gartland stepped out of defence before clipping a ball down the right to Sloggett who glanced his header into the path of Michael Duffy. The Derry man hit a venomous strike which Ryan did well to get his body behind before the ball could be cleared.

Nine minutes before halftime Patrick Hoban was played in down the left channel by Duffy who dwelled too long before Sobowale nipped in to prevent a shot on goal from eight yards out.

Stand-in right back Dummigan was carted off after rolling his ankle, replaced by club legend Sean Gannon but the stoppage in play did little to stop the Dundalk juggernaut from rolling.

Sheridan’s side worked their best attacking opportunity in stoppage time of the first half as Robbie McCourt stepped out of the left sided centre-back position, finding Martin however Hoare did excellent on the cover to clear the ball for a corner which came to nothing.

Dundalk nearly went further ahead after Sloggett dispossessed Sobowale in his own box. The Meath man laid off Patching, but the Englishman whipped his effort just over Ryan’s crossbar.

The battle between Sobowale and Duffy was proving to be the most interesting duel in Oriel. Duffy sprung in behind the Waterford defence after a great through ball from Patching, but the Waterford man executed the perfect sliding tackle as Duffy raced towards the six-yard box.

57 in and Duffy nutmegged Sobowale brilliantly, but his cross flashed across the face of goal without a Dundalk attacker getting on the end of it.

With around 30 minutes to go the Blues went for it, making three changes in the hope of grabbing an equaliser. Michael O’Connor gave Waterford a focal point at the top end of the pitch while Shane Griffin looked to pry an opening from the central midfield position. Tyreke Wilson was tasked with giving a more attacking option wide left.

The changes altered the course of the game and Waterford were now able to secure a foothold in the game.

Patrick McEleney and David McMillan were brought on along with the American, Joshua Gatt but it was Duffy who continued to provide the attacking spark for the champions, but glorious chances were few and far between.

Ali Coote was brought on to the right side of midfield and in the 81^st minute his cross was pulled back towards O’Connor who completely fluffed his shot from 9 yards out as the away bench exclaimed in disbelief.

Dundalk held on in a less than convincing second half performance.

 John Sheridan will take some positives from the game as the two sides meet again in the league at Oriel Park on Friday night.

Dundalk: Gary Rogers;Cameron Dummigan (Sean Gannon 43), Brian Gartland, Sean Hoare, Darragh Leahy; Will Patching, (John Mountney 69) Chris Shields, Greg Sloggett (Patrick McEleney 69); Stefan Colovic (Joshua Gatt 79), Michael Duffy; Patrick Hoban (David McMillan 79).
Subs not used: Aaron McCarey ,Sean Murray,

Booked: None.
Red Card: None.

Waterford: Tadhg Ryan (GK); Oluwatunwise Sobowale, Sam Bone, Robbie McCourt, Jake Davidson, Matthew Smith; Niall O’Keefe (Tyreke Wilson 60), Robert Weir (Michael O’Connor 61), John Martin (Shane Griffin 60); Will Longbottom (Kurtis Byrne 64), Will Fitzgerald (Ali Coote 79).

Subs not used: Paul Martin, Darragh Power.

Booked: Kurtis Byrne (80).

Red Card: None.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin.

Attendance: 0

Extratime.com Player of the Match: Michael Duffy (Dundalk F.C).