Rovers 0 Waterford Utd 0

************* Eircom League *************
Shamrock Rovers 0

Waterford Utd. 0

Tolka Park - Friday 9th Nov 2007

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A swirling and blustery wind made it hard for both sets of players and the high stakes that Waterford Utd. were playing for meant that this game was going to be a hard fought encounter. All the drama was kept for the final ten minutes when the latest scores in other games led to the fact that if the visitors won the game they would be safe but if they lost they would be relegated. As it turned out the draw means they must now face a play-off.

After a frantic opening 15 minutes defender Hayes had the first effort for the Blues but his header went narrowly wide. Myler received the ball in space on 17 minutes but his attempted through ball to Doyle was poor. Clarke fed Doyle in the 21st minute and his cross found O'Connor but he scooped his shot over the bar.

Dean Delaney in the visitors goal did well to advance and clear a through ball on 29 minutes with Cassidy in close attendance. Barry Murphy was called into action in the 35th minute to make a good save from an attack down the Rovers right and a minute later Delaney saved from Doyles effort.

The second half saw Dave Tyrell go off injured before Ger O'Brien intervened to clear the danger from a Waterford corner. Doyle looked to have his jersey pulled as he ran on to an O'Brien through ball on 56 minutes but the Ref. waved play on. The introduction of Ger Rowe on the hour made a difference and three minutes later he fired in a shot and forced Delaney into a save. A minute later Sullivan turned well and shot but Murphy was well placed to save.

A fine move from the Hoops in the 70th minute saw O'Brien move the ball to Mulhall and his cross was met by Rowe's volley but the ball went just over the bar. Just four minutes later a fine free-kick from Cassidy went over the defence but Rowe failed to connect with the ball in front of goal.

Sullivan tried his luck from just outside the box but missed the target on 78 minutes and a minute later Rowe beat a couple of defenders but unfortunately his cross went straight to Delaney. With four minutes remaining of normal time the visitors broke down the Rovers left and a low cross found Sullivan in front of goal but inexplicably he let the ball go between his legs and the chance was lost.

In the very tense closing minutes the Hoops forced a corner that was cleared only as far as Mulhall and his fine cross was met in front of goal by Kilduff but his header went over the bar and Waterford lived to fight another day for their Premier division survival.

Line-Out

1 Barry Murphy
2 Ger O'Brien
3 Robbie Clarke
4 Paul Shields
5 Barry Ferguson
6 Danny O'Connor
7 Robbie Creevy
8 David Tyrell
9 Andy Myler
10 Eoin Doyle
11 David Cassidy


Substitutes :

13 David Vickery
14 Chris Mulhall for Tyrell 53'
15 Ciaran Kilduff for Doyle 65'
16 Karl Coleman
17 Ger Rowe for Myler 60'