Waterford cruise to victory over Limerick

The curtain came down on the regular SSE Airtricity League Premier Division campaign on Friday night as Alan Reynolds’ Waterford FC defeated Limerick FC 4-1 at the Regional Sports Centre. Waterford finished fourth in the league and as a result have qualified for the Europa League qualifying stages. At the other end, Limerick will now contest the promotion/relegation playoff against Finn Harps next week over two legs.

Waterford took the lead in the game after just two minutes as Barry Maguire fouled John Martin inside the penalty area and Dessie Hutchinson converted the spot kick. Shortly afterwards, the visitors equalised as Conor Ellis teed up young winger Colm Walsh-O’Loughlen to grab his first senior goal for the club. 

However, parity did not last long as the home side restored their lead as Hutchinson’s dangerous free-kick found Garry Comerford to make it 2-1. The Suirsiders extended their lead in the second half as Hutchinson converted a free-kick from the edge of the box albeit with the aid of a deflection. One of the club’s star performers in 2018 got in on the act late on as Gavan Holohan crossed for John Martin to power a header past Jack Brady to finish the scoring on the night.

Tommy Barrett rightfully rested many key players for the two legged playoff next week. The first leg takes place on Bank Holiday Monday at Finn Park with the return leg taking place on Friday night at the Markets Field. 

Waterford: Matthew Connor, Noe Baba, David Webster, John Martin, Garry Comerford, Dylan Barnett, Dessie Hutchinson, Dean O’Halloran (Gavan Holohan 68), Bastien Hery (Paul Keegan 62), Cory Galvin, Ishmaiel Akinade. 

Limerick: Jack Brady, Killian Cantwell (Karl O’Sullivan 59), Tomas O’Connor, Colman Kennedy, Darren Murphy, Darren Murphy, Aaron Fitzgerald, Barry Maguire, Ger Barry Adam Foley, Conor Ellis (Danny Morrissey 68)