Waterford United have rejected Gareth Cronin's resignation after the manager offered to step down following the club's heavy defeat to Finn Harps on Tuesday.

The Premier Division side lost 3-0 to their north-west opponents in the first leg of the promotion-relegation play-off.  The two teams clash again at the RSC on Friday.

Cronin has been linked with a move to Shelbourne but he distanced himself from the Dublin club by stressing his commitment to his current employers.

"I was embarrassed for the fans, the management committee and the backroom staff after that match," said Cronin in a statement tonight.

"I have never shied away from accepting liability and I felt as the manager that I had to bear the responsibility for that performance. It was, in my opinion the only honourable course of action.

"Having spoken to the members of the management committee, I would like to publicly state categorically that I am 100 per cent committed to Waterford United and I intend to honour my contract with the club which has another year to run.

Cronin said he is now focused on preparing his team for Friday's crucial leg, a game he concedes is now a "tall order".  Indeed, if Waterford fail to overturn the deficit they will be relegated to the First Division.

"I firmly believe that the players have the ability to turn this around," added Cronin.

"It may be a tall order but this club has come a long way in a short space of time and I do believe that the players are better than that display on Tuesday.

"I will be the manager of Waterford United until my contract expires or until the management committee feel a change is needed," he said in a statement.