Waterford United 3 - 0 Mervue United

• Brendan White
• Fri, Jun 25 2010


Waterford United proved too strong for Mervue United on Friday evening in a game that could have seen the score easily doubled as was the home side’s dominance.

Two recent recruits stole the show for Waterford as Striker Paul Murphy and left full back Michael Coady shone in front of the small home crowd.

The opening goal almost arrived after just eight minutes. Michael Coady, on his Waterford debut, played the ball down the left wing and found Vinny Sullivan. He crossed and Paul Murphy superbly powered a header that went inches wide of Hanley’s far post.

Mervue United’s first chance of the game fell to Rory Gaffney but from an acute angle Kevin Burns saved and Kevin Murray cleared. Murphy went closer after 18 minutes when he met a Liam Kearney cross and headed low toward the corner. The player and the crowd waited for the ball to whistle into the net but Mervue keeper Ger Hanley had other ideas and produced a brilliant right handed save to brush the ball past the far post.

Waterford were in control but couldn’t find a way to goal. Firstly James O'Sullivan set Vinny Sullivan away one-on-one with Hanley but the striker fired wide of the far post. Minutes later Seamus Long set Murphy one-on-one with Hanley but he blocked well. The ball fell to Liam Kearney, he passed to O'Sullivan who's cross found Murphy but he headed just wide.

How the score remained scoreless to this point is quite unbelievable and unbelievable turned to disbelief eight minutes before half time. Alan Carey fired a cross to the back post where Paul Murphy headed across goal. The unmarked Vinny Sullivan somehow headed against the crossbar from 4 yards and the sides went in scoreless at half time.

Having dominated the first half, The Blues grabbed a deserved goal eight minutes into the second half but the manner of the goal would have amused all in attendance. Own goals are usually funny and this goal followed that trend. Kenny Farrell’s attempted clearance from 25 yards struck defensive partner Mike Elwood in the face. The ball looped high and over Ger Hanley head into the back of the net for Own Goal of the Season. Two minutes later Vinny Sullivan missed a great chance as completely missed a cross from Liam Kearney.

That goal was what Waterford needed and they added a second just three minutes later. John Kearney played a short corner to James O'Sullivan who crossed. Paul Murphy got in front of his marker and fired a near post header past Hanley.

With 15 minutes remaining Mervue almost grabbed a lifeline. Enda Curran collected a loose ball in the middle of the field and fired a 25 yard screamer that whizzed past Kevin Burns but came back off the post.

A minute later it was almost own goal number two of the night. Gary Dunphy's effert was deflected off Matrin Conneely and was headed for the net but for a superb fingertip save by Hanley.

The final goal of the game arrived in the final minute. John Kearney swung in a right wing corner where he found Seamus Long. The centre half’s shot was brilliantly saved by Ger Hanley but Willie John Kiely, celebrating his 22nd birthday on the night, was on hand to head to the back of the net.

It was a game dominated from start to finish by the Munster men but all credit to Mervue who, despite being behind, continued to pass the ball around and play proper football. With Derry City dropping two points, the gap at the top of the First Division drops to five points.

Waterford United: Kevin Burns; Alan Carey, Kevin Murray, Seamus Long, Michael Coady; James O’Sullivan (Gary Dunphy 63’), Paul McCarthy (Kevin Waters 85’), John Kearney, Liam Kearney; Vinny Sullivan, Paul Murphy (Willie John Kiely 75’).
Subs not used: Chris Konopka, John Hayes.
Booked: O’Sullivan.

Mervue United: Ger Hanley, Kevin Crehan, Kenny Farrell, Nicky Curran, Mike Elwood, Simon Walsh, David Goldbey (Dan Cunningham 45), Alex Lee (Martin Conneely 64), Enda Curran, Rory Gaffney (Evan Connolly 67), Mark Ludden.
Subs not used: Noel Varley, Darren Young.
Booked: Curran

Referee: Jim McKell (Tipperary)
Extratime Man of the Match: Paul Murphy.