Waterford United 2-0 Longford Town

• Brendan White
• Sat, Jul 24 2010


Waterford United ran out 2-0 winners in the RSC on Friday night but the result could have been different had Longford converted numerous good chances.

The game started off with Longford grabbing the first opportunity when Peter Hynes was played in by Cathal Brady but Blues captain Kevin Murray gets back to block. Minutes later Willie John Kiely got on the end of an Alan Carey cross but the strikers weak shot was easily saved.

Waterford had two chances in quick succession. Shane Barrett, Liam Kearney and Michael Coady all linked up together but Coady’s attempted cross was blocked and minutes later Sullivan headed wide from a Murphy cross.

The opening goal of the game arrived after 18 minutes. John Kearney’s corner from the right was met by the head of Kevin Murray. His downward header bounced off the turf and up into the top left corner of Shanahan’s goal.

Six minutes later and Longford could have been level. Mark Salmon’s belter of a free kick was destined for the top right corner but for an outstanding left handed save from Waterford keeper Kevin Burns who flicked the ball over the crossbar. Lee Roche then headed over Burns’ goal after an O’Reilly cross.

Paul Murphy came close for Waterford shortly after. Willie John Kiely crossed from the left and Murphy lined up his shot and fired a first time volley went just wide of the far post. Liam Kearney then found Vinny Sullivan but his strike hit the side netting.

The second half lacked any real quality but to Longford’s credit they battled hard but failed to take their chances. An overall dour affair wasn’t helped either by a fussy and poor referee.

On the hour mark, a high ball into the Waterford penalty area was misjudged by Burns but Mike Lee headed over the bar. Minutes later and Longford had a great chance to equalise. Lee Roche was played through 1-on-1 by Salmon but Kevin Burns was out quick to block the effort. The ball fell to Peter Hynes thought but his attempted shot was blocked and Kevin Murray completed the clearance.

Willie John Kiely then had a great chance to score The Blues second goal. Kiely rose highest to head Alan Carey’s corner just wide. Minutes later Aaron Shanahan pulled off a great save after Liam Kearney had cut inside and fired toward the goal.

With 20 minutes remaining, Waterford United were awarded a penalty and sealed the win. Shane Barrett’s superb driven ball found Liam Kearney on the left wing and his attempted cross was blocked by the outstretched arm of Longford substitute Aidan Roche. Alan Carey stepped up to fire the penalty to the back of the net, though Shanahan may feel unlucky having got a hand to the ball.

Minutes later and Waterford could have added another goal as Liam Kearney crashed the ball off the crossbar from close range having followed up a Kiely shot from the edge of the box. With eight minutes to go Longford missed a glorious opportunity to get back into the game. Peter Hynes ran toward the Waterford goal and chipped over Kevin Burns but his with the ball heading wide Aidan Roche collected but somehow fired his shot across the face of the open goal and wide of the far post.

The final minutes produced little in way of a third goal though James O’Sullivan had a good effort well saved by Shanahan after being unselfishly set up by Kiely. The win moves Waterford back to second place in the table albeit on goal difference with Monaghan, while Longford stay fourth from bottom.

Waterford United: Kevin Burns; Alan Carey, Seamus Long, Kevin Murray, Michael Coady; Paul Murphy (Gary Keane 85’), Shane Barrett, John Kearney, Liam Kearney (Kevin Waters 81’); Vinny Sullivan (James O’Sullivan 92’), Willie John Kiely.
Substitutes not used: Chris Konopka, Paul Carey
Booked: Carey, Coady, Long.

Longford Town: Aaron Shanahan, Niall O’Reilly, Mike Lee, Viktor Ekanem, Chris Deans, John Lester, Cathal Brady (Aidan Roche 66), Mark Salmon, Peter Hynes, Lee Roche, Gary Cronin (Jason Oladele 54)
Substitutes not used: Stephen Conlon, Kevin Cronin, J.P. McDonagh.
Booked: Deans, O’Reilly, Ekanem.

Referee: Sean Grant (Wexford)
Extratime Man of the Match: Shane Barrett - Nice and tidy on the ball in his first start for The Blues.