Waterford United 3 - 1 Limerick 37

Waterford United kept their promotion chase alive with a comprehensive win over their Munster rivals Limerick FC at the RSC last night. However, Waterford’s well deserved win did come with an early scare as the visitors opened the scoring after five minutes of play through Waterford born Paul Walsh. A determined Waterford United did not drop their heads and pulled one back in the 13th minute when Karl Bermingham headed home after some poor Limerick defending. Waterford completed the scoring with two excellent David Grincell goals both sides of half-time.

It was the visitors who began this highly anticipated Munster derby the better side with Mike Kerley’s side once again showing they were not just here to make up the numbers. They showed their desire, early on, to end their recent run of defeats when Wayne Colbert played an excellent through play to the exciting Garry Sheahan but Waterford goalkeeper Packie Holden was equal to the opportunity.

Limerick’s pressure and high tempo football was rewarded after only five minutes of play when John Tierney set up Paul Walsh who rose high above the Waterford defence to open the scoring with a powerful header into the back of Holden’s goal. John Tierney did extremely well to create space for himself, just inside the Waterford penalty area, to cross in to the unmarked Paul Walsh who headed home with ease.

Limerick nearly doubled their lead in the 10th minute when Gary Sheehan was played through by Tommy Barrett but he could only watch on as Holden easily saved Sheehan’s poor finish as he was under pressure from the approaching Kenny Browne.

At this stage, Limerick looked the stronger side but Waterford’s class shone through as the game advanced. In the 13th minute the home side equalised after some excellent team work resulted in Karl Bermingham heading home from close range. Ex-Limerick favourite Kevin Waters did well to beat Limerick full-back Brendan Daly to swing in a perfect cross to the in-form Bermingham. Karl Bermingham climbed above his marker Brian Cleary to level matters at the RSC.

Waterford took the lead for the first time in the game with seven minutes left until the break. Waterford hero Grincell scored his fourth goal in four games when he raced onto the end of a John Hayes pass but only to be let down by his first touch which took him away from goal. Just when Limerick looked to have escaped danger, the exciting Grincell cut inside Limerick captain Pat Purcell to slot the ball into the back of Dave Ryan’s net.

Confidence and belief had now dropped in the Limerick camp as they welcomed the half-time break. It was Waterford who began the second half the livelier of the two sides and they gradually began to take control of the game. Waterford doubled their lead in the 73rd minute when David Grincell slotted home after a mix-up in the Limerick defence. Grincell was allowed in on goal after Dave Ryan rushed out of his box as Grincell’s pace was enough to see him past the Limerick goalkeeper. A determined Paul Danaher tried to shorten the Waterford striker’s angle but he easily slotted home to send the home crowd into raptures.

Despite Waterford’s winner with just over 15 minutes remaining, Limerick never gave up and they were nearly rewarded with 5 minutes to go with only the crossbar denying them a second goal. Limerick’s travelling supporters knew it was not to be their sides’ night when Paul Danaher hit the crossbar and after a huge scramble in the Waterford penalty area, Paul Walshe’s effort was cleared of the line by Kieran Fitzgerald. Next up was Tommy Barrett who managed to get a shot away but yet again his shot was cleared off the line, this time by John Hayes.

The final score at the RSC was 3-1 to Waterford United which leaves them in second place, two points adrift of League leaders Dundalk. Meanwhile, Limerick remain in fifth for at least 24 hours as they wait for the result between Athlone Town and Monaghan United.

Waterford United: Packie Holden; Stephen Quigley (Kieran Fitzgerald, 57), David Breen, Kenny Browne, Kevin Waters; Dave Warren, John Hayes, Luke Fitzpatrick, Michael Foley (Robbie Clarke, 64); Karl Bermingham, David Grincell (Willie John Kiely, 77), 
Subs not used: Ben Spicer, Joe Mulcahy.

Limerick 37: Dave Ryan; Brendan Daly (Stephen Goggin, 46), Jamie Wuncsh (Paul Danaher 15), Pat Purcell, Brian Cleary; Wayne Colbert, Tommy Barrett, Colin Scanlon (James Hayes, 60), Paul Walsh; Garry Sheahan, John Tierney.
Subs not used: Peter White, Kevin Fitzpatrick.

Referee: John McLoughlin.

Attendance: 700 (estimate)

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: David Grincell (Waterford United).