Waterford United 1 – 0 Mervue United

• Brendan White
• Sat, May 07 2011


Waterford United moved to within six points of top spot with a 1-0 win at home to Mervue United at the RSC on Friday night. Conor Sinnott grabbed the only goal of the game in the second half from the penalty spot after Eric Browne was adjudged to have fouled Keith Quinn.

The away side had the first chance of the game when Rory Gaffney was fed in the Waterford penalty box by Mike Tierney and he forced Waterford United keeper Kevin Burns to save low at his near post.

David Breen was first to try his luck for the home side but he headed over shortly after. He came close again midway through the half but he fired over after controlling brilliantly.

Gary Keane was next with a chance but he also headed over the bar after Quinn’s cross. John Mountney had a good chance for Mervue but he skewed his shot wide. Bang on the stroke of half time, the home side put together the best move of the half from a free kick just outside the Mervue penalty box. Dunphy played it short to Dempsey who slid the ball through to Chin inside the covering defender, his cross was cleared as far as Sinnott but his cross was headed over by Breen.

The second half started with the home side still in search of the opening goal. Kevin Murray almost broke the deadlock but he couldn’t steer the ball home after Breen had flicked Sinnott’s free kick to the backpost.

Jason Molloy crossed to the back post where defender Michael Coady mishit his clearance but Kevin Crehan fired his shot into the side netting for a missed Mervue chance. Rory Gaffney also went close but fired wide after another Coady mistake. The opening goal arrived just five minutes later.

The nature of the goal is one that is sure to leave the away side aggrieved. Keith Quinn raced away toward goal and, as he was about to strike, Eric Browne slid in to make the challenge. What looked to have been a perfectly timed tackle was adjudged to have been a foul by referee Keith Callanan who awarded the penalty and issued the defender with a straight red card. Conor Sinnott stepped up and sent Ger Hanley the wrong way.

Gaffney raced toward goal after Lee Chin had misjudged the bouncing the ball shortly after, he coasted past Browne before forcing Kevin Burns to save. The home side almost added a second when Keane forced a good save from Hanley after Sinnott had fed Quinn to supply the low drilled cross.

Keane then played a low through ball for substitute Willie John Kiely but Hanley made a smart save. Browne then headed wide after good build up play by Sinnott and Dunphy. Sinnott curled just wide before his 30 yard strike was spilled by Hanley but he recovered well to tip Kiely’s strike onto the post and wide.

The home side held on for a deserved win after dominating much of the game and they build on last weekend’s three points in Ferrycarrig Park. The away side will be unhappy with the penalty award but will know they didnt do enough on the night but looked a good attacking team in periods, Gaffney impressing throughout .

Waterford United: Kevin Burns; Lee Chin, Kevin Murray, Kenny Browne, Michael Coady; Gary Dunphy, David Breen, Shane Dempsey (Brian Nolan 85’), Keith Quinn (Willie John Kiely 75’); Conor Sinnott; Gary Keane.
Subs not used: Josh Byrne, Seamus Long, Paul Carey, Shane Barrett, Dwayne Wilson.
Booked: none

Mervue United: Ger Hanley, James Casserley, Martin Conneely, Eric Browne, Mark Ludden, Kevin Crehan (Mike Elwood 72), Noel Varley, John Mountney, Mike Tierney (Dave Goldbey 72), Rory Gaffney, Jason Molloy.
Subs not used: TJ Forde, David O’Brien, Peter Dravins, Mike Collins.
Booked: none.
Sent Off: Browne 55

Referee: Keith Callanan (Cork)
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: David Breen – Another very good performance in a new midfield position.
Attendance: 347