Postal strike: Willie John Kiely is congratulated by Vinny Sullivan and Liam Kearney following his 4th-minute opener. | photo: Jim O'Sullivan
■□■ View More Photos
Waterford United made it six wins from their opening six games when they defeated Limerick at the RSC on Friday night last. This was a rather frantic Munster derby and there is no doubt that the Blues rode their luck at times. Indeed, it took a controversial – but correctly-awarded – penalty eight minutes from time to keep United’s 100% record intact.
Stephen Henderson’s side have not been at their best in their last three games but just as they did against Salthill Devon and Mervue United in Galway they dug deep to grind out a result. The manager made one change from the team which won 3-2 against Mervue United the previous week in Terryland Park. Liam Kearney returned from suspension and Gareth Cambridge dropped to the bench. New signing George O’Callaghan did not play as his contract was not cleared in time by the English FA. He is expected to be available for Friday’s game away to Monaghan United.
Limerick took the game to Waterford early on but the Blues took the lead after only four minutes. Kearney crossed the ball from the left to the back post where Limerick full-back Martin Deedy failed to head clear and that gave Timmy Purcell the chance to square to Willie John Kiely who finished from eight yards for his third goal of the campaign.
Midfielder Paul McCarthy, who passed a fitness test on his ankle injury prior to kick-off, had a chance to increase Waterford’s lead on 13 minutes but he shot weakly at Limerick ’keeper Dave Ryan from just inside the penalty area. Limerick regained the advantage after that effort and their central defender Peter White had a hard shot blocked by Gary Dunphy inside a crowded penalty area two minutes later.
See The Munster Express newspaper for full match report.
