- Patrick O'Connor
- Sun, Oct 16 2022
Patrick O Connor reports from the RSC Waterford
Shelbourne will make a long-awaited return to the Aviva Stadium when they face Derry City in a novel pairing for the Extra.ie FAI Cup Final on November 13th after they defeated Waterford 1-0 at the RSC on Sunday.
It was the First Division side that stood in their way in the semi-final, but such was their dominance they should really have put the result beyond doubt well before the final whistle.
Waterford did not lack for effort but the gulf between the two divisions was obvious for most of the game and while they defended gamely at the back, they were very short on ideas in the attacking half of the field
The Blues started very brightly and took the game to their Premier Division opponents and had a half chance in the second minute when Phoenix Patterson put Darragh Power through, but his shot was weak and easily saved by Brendan Clarke.
After about 10 minutes however Shelbourne began to find their feet and started to dominate proceedings and threaten the home sides defence.
It came as no great surprise when their domination paid off in the 15th minute as they scored the opening goal of the game.
Matty Smyth sprayed the ball out wide on the left to Gavin Molloy and having taken a touch to set himself up, he unleashed a low shot which spun off the wet surface and gave Paul Martin no chance.
The Reds had two further chances to extend their lead, but luck was on Waterford’s side on both occasions.
Alex Baptiste delayed his clearance in the 17th minute and Sean Boyd robbed him of the ball only to see Martin come off his line and deflect his shot away for a corner.
Shels won a corner in the 25th minute and from Shane Farrell’s in swinging shot, Luke Byrne powered a header off the bar, another close shave for the home team.
Waterford lived off scraps for the entire first half and Clarke was never called into action with Damian Duff’s side deservedly in front at the break.
Waterford were much more in the game in the second half but apart from some searing runs along the left flank from Patterson, Danny Searle’s side had very little to offer up front.
They had plenty of possession as Shelbourne sat back but could never penetrate the back line led superbly by Luke Byrne and Stephen Griffin.
The game became very scrappy for large stretches of the second half and apart from a great free kick from Patterson which drew a fingertip save from Clarke, the home side did not really look like scoring from open play
The three minutes of extra time almost produced the drama that the rest of the game lacked, when a Richard Taylor header at the far post appeared to hit the hand of a Shelbourne player but referee Rob Hennessy made a call on it and waived play on, much to annoyance of the home supporters.
Waterford: Paul Martin, Darragh Power, Niall O Keeffe, Killian Cantwell, Alex Baptiste, Roland Idowu (Yassine En-Neyah 15), Shane Griffin (Richard Taylor 70), Junior Quitirna, Tunmise Sobowale, Raul Uche, Phoenix Patterson
Subs not Used: Brian Murphy (GK), Timi Sobowale, Jeremie Milambo, Remi Thompson, Owen Oseni, Dean Larkin, Harvey Warren
Booked: Shane Griffin (56) Richard Taylor (75)
Shelbourne: Brendan Clarke; Shane Griffin, Luke Byrne (c), Gavin Molloy; John Ross Wilson Stephen Negru, JJ Lunney (Aodh Dervin 87) Mark Coyle, Shane Farrell (Jack Moylan 61), Sean Boyd, Matty Smyth
Subs not used: Scott Van der Sluis (GK), Aaron O Driscoll, Brian McManus, Joshua Giurgi, Kameron Ledwidge.
Booked: Sean Boyd (91)
Referee: Rob Hennessy
Attendance: 4,952
extratime.com Player of the Match: Luke Byrne
