National League Premier Division/Waterford Utd - 2 Shamrock Rovers - 0: Waterford United put the disappointment of their FAI Cup final defeat behind them at the RSC yesterday when they took full points in a fiercely competitive game against a Shamrock Rovers side that has now failed to register a win in 12 games.
The victory keeps United in the hunt for third place and European competition next season but the result means the threat of relegation still hangs over Rovers, who stay second from bottom above Dublin City who they meet in their last game of the season.
United opened the scoring after 15 minutes when a long clearance from goalkeeper Patrick Holden was put through the middle for Daryl Murphy.
The under-21 international rounded the advancing goalkeeper Noel Mooney before crashing a powerful, right-footed shot to the net.
United went two up on 37 minutes when Murphy crossed from the left corner and the inrushing David Mulcahy side footed the ball to the net from six yards.
United should have scored a third goal three minutes before the break when Willie Bruton crossed perfectly for Murphy but the usually lethal striker failed to connect from 10 yards.
It wasn't all one-way traffic in the first half and Jason McGuinness and Trevor Molloy both went close to scoring for Rovers but their final touch wasn't good enough to breach the Waterford defence.
The opening 15 minutes of the second half was frantic and most of the action took place in the United area as Rovers tried desperately to get back into the game.
The always dangerous David Mooney saw his effort on 51 minutes deflected out for a corner and, two minutes later, a super strike from the same player from 15 yards forced Holden to make a spectacular save.
Thirty seconds later, a piledriver of a shot from Molloy crashed off the crossbar before going out for a goal kick.
At the other end, Murphy was blocked down three times in succession in the 55th minute when he seemed certain to score and David Breen headed over the bar from point-black range from a Kevin Waters corner on the hour.
Ten minutes from the end, Mark O'Brien was sent off by referee Anthony Buttimer when he received two yellow cards in as many minutes.
Three minutes from the end, the impressive Murphy was fouled by Mooney as he broke clear for goal but the Rovers goalkeeper made amends by saving the subsequent penalty by substitute Kevin O'Brien.
WATERFORD UNITED: Holden, Coleman, Frost, Whelehan, Breen, Purcell (Fitzgerald, 18 mins), Sullivan (O'Brien, 68 mins), Mulcahy, Murphy, Bruton (Quitongo, 83 mins), Waters. Subs not used: Clifford, Connor.
SHAMROCK ROVERS: N Mooney, Gough, Doyle, McGuinness, Deans, Treacy (O'Halloran, 66 min), Robinson, O'Brien, D Mooney, Molloy, Rutherford (McDonnell, 61 mins). Subs not used: Cousins, Murphy, Malone.
Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork).
