Play-off Report: Galway Utd 0 - 3 Waterford FC

A double from Junior Quitirna and a late first half goal from Wassim Aouachira sealed Waterford’s place in the relegation/promotion play-off game.

They benefited from slips from Galway and stood firm when the pressure came on.   

It was more disappointment in the play-offs for Galway at the end. Falling behind early on, they were never able to respond in kind and were caught on the break twice further. Questions will now be asked of John Caulfield’s future with the club.

Galway were drawn as the home side and made just one change from the victory over Longford. Ronan Manning came in for Bastien Hery.

Waterford made two switches following their dramatic encounter with Treaty. Alex Baptiste and Yassine En-Neyah replaced Richard Taylor and Raul Uche.   

Both sides brought a sizeable support with them to Markets Field and aimed to set out their stall immediately. Galway appealed for a booking as Max Hemmings aimed to run onto a through-ball. It was just a free that went straight into the wall.

Another free at the other end resulted in the opening goal. Junior Quitirna initially lost the ball out on the right before winning it back. He was taken down and Waterford set up to take it. Phoenix Patterson laid it to Quitirna who took it slightly forward before having a shot. It seemed to have taken a deflection as it squirmed through the grasp of Conor Kearns.

Galway came back and started to pepper the Waterford area with crosses. One of these saw a vain attempt for a penalty as Stephen Walsh went down at the back post. Nothing given though. At the other end, Tunmise Sobowale got free out wide before his effort was blocked out.  

The game was stopped for a significant period as a guard consulted with the referee. It was deemed to have been structural issues with one of the terraces behind Kearn’s goal.

It was cleared of supporters before the game resumed. Galway had a free upon resumption that forced Darragh Power to have to head away under pressure at the back post. Max Hemmings began to hoist crosses into the box to keep the pressure on the Waterford back-line.

As the game entered the fifth minute of injury time, Waterford doubled their lead. A corner was hacked away down field. Wassim Aouachira chased in hope rather than expectation.

Hemming did not deal with the bounce at all which ran through to the striker. He slotted past Kearns to the delight of the support near the goal.

Galway came out in the second half with a greater sense of urgency. It was noticeable that Walsh was pushing futher up the field to be the focus of the long-balls and set pieces.

James Finnerty got his head to a McCormack free that was heading goalwards. It was only able to connect with the woodwork though. At the other end a Patterson free almost sqeezed in via a deflection.  

Waterford were always a threat on the break though. Quitirna picked up a loose ball in midfield and surged forward. He nutmegged his opponent before laying it off to Patterson. He ran onto the ball but was unable to keep his effort down.  

Caulfield emptied his bench in a desperate search for a response. Waterford were holding firm though. Alex Baptiste headed away a McCormack free and Sobowale hacked the resulting corner off the line.

Galway got a lifeline when they received a penalty after Sobowale pulled down his man. He didn’t receive a second booking for the challenge. Walsh stepped up and saw his effort tipped away by Martin.

Further insult came when Sobowale played a cross-field ball to Patterson who laid it off to Quitirna in support of him. He ran on before firing past Kearns.   

Try as they might but Galway could not muster even a consolation. Celebrations for those travelling from Waterford upon the final whistle.

They now take on UCD in a venue yet to be decided next Friday night. It is a repeat of the game that saw Waterford relegated last season. They will be hoping for revenge on this occasion.      

Galway United: Conor Kearns; Killian Brouder, James Finnerty, Conor O'Keeffe (Francely Lomboto 83), Adam Thomas (Mikie Rowe 62); Max Hemmings, David Hurley (Rob Manley 35), Ronan Manning (Charlie Lyons 83), Edward McCarthy (Bastien Hery 62), Conor McCormack (c); Stephen Walsh.
Subs not used: Connal Doran, Evan O'Connor, Diego Portilla, Wilson Waweru.
Booked: Conor O'Keeffe (46), Stephen Walsh (52).
Sent off: None.

Waterford: Paul Martin; Alex Baptiste, Killian Cantwell, Darragh Power; Yassine En-Neyah (Dean Larkin 86), Shane Griffin, Niall O'Keeffe, Junior Quitirna, Tunmise Sobowale (Oluwatimilehin Sobowale 83); Wassim Aouachria (Raul Uche 83), Phoenix Patterson.
Subs not used: Brian Murphy, Richard Taylor, Jeremie Milambo, Eddie Nolan, Remi Thompson, Owen Oseni.
Booked: Tunmise Sobowale (26) Darragh Power (59).
Sent off: None.

Referee: Alan Patchell
extratime.com Player of the Match: Junior Quitirna