Kiely holds off Stuart Byrne (St Pats).

Kiely holds off Stuart Byrne (St Pats).

Waterford United 1; St Patrick’s Athletic 1

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Waterford United were only 20 minutes away from booking a place in the semi-final of the FAI Cup on Saturday night, but former Blues player Gary Dempsey, who is still regarded as something of a hero on Suirside, popped up with an equaliser to set up a replay in Richmond Park on Tuesday night.

The reasonable attendance at a sun-baked RSC were treated to a thrilling game which ebbed and flowed all through and a draw was perhaps the correct result. The home side dominated the opening 45 minutes and the Premier League outfit had to play second fiddle for long spells.

The Super Saints got a grip in the middle of the park in the second period, however, and it was the Dubliners who pressed forward at every opportunity, urged on by their large travelling support.

This was as good a cup tie as has been seen in Waterford for many a long day, and if the replay is half as good then Richmond Park should see another highly entertaining contest on Tuesday.

See The Munster Express newspaper for full story and photos.