Waterford United 0 Shamrock Rovers 2:There was plenty of action and drama in this absorbing clash between two old rivals at the RSC last night but, in the end, Rovers emerged with full points just as they did in their first meeting at Tolka Park last month.
Prior to the game, the RSC was buzzing with rumours that there had been a heated discussion on the Shamrock Rovers bus before it departed Dublin that resulted in three players not travelling. When asked about the rumours before the kick-off, Rovers' manager Pat Scully said he had no comment to make.
Following a period of intense pressure, Andy Myler opened the scoring for Rovers on 21 minutes. Ger O'Brien provided the cross from the right, Padraig Almond touched the ball on and Myler squeezed in behind defender Pat Flynn before back-heeling the ball into the net from close range.
Despite the fact that United had by far the best of the second half, Myler wrapped up the game for the visitors with his second goal five minutes from time. Dave Tyrell provided the cross from the left and the striker found the net with his second effort after his first attempt came back off the crossbar.
WATERFORD UNITED: Delaney, Flynn, Hedderman (Brosnan, 71 mins), Browne, Breen, Warren (Kavanagh, 58 mins), Mulcahy, McCarthy, Sullivan, Kiely (Bermingham, 50 mins), Lordan.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: Murphy, G. O'Brien, Tyrell, Reynolds (Shiels, 71 mins), Ferguson, O'Connor, Cassidy, McGill, Almond (Rowe, 58 mins), Myler, Doyle (Purcell, 58 mins).
Referee: A Buttimer (Cork).
