On a afternoon when fans were once again, not permitted at the RSC – the Blues were set to make the best of an unfortunate situation where they would be playing without the chorus of fans filling the stands.
When the League Of Ireland returned, Shelbourne were the first team that Waterford faced, taking three points home from Dublin thanks to a John Martin goal. The Blues were set to repeat their previous achievement with relative ease.
Before the game, manager Franny Rockett had a clear idea in his mind - “We just have to be confident and attack Shel’s, because they’re vulnerable to it. Like even last week when they played Boh’s, when there’s that bit of pressure on them, sometimes they can implode and its important that we can do that today”
The team was named with a second "Murphy" listed on the bench - it would become Daryl Murphy's first game for the club in 15 years. John Martin was noticeably absent from the team - despite being the man who clinched the points for Waterford in Tolka Park.
2 x Murphy’s in the lineup 💪💙#WFCvSFC pic.twitter.com/0wBdZPjB9j
— Waterford FC (@WaterfordFCie) October 10, 2020
The opening quarter of an hour was a relatively quite affair, but a free kick from Tyreke Wilson on 15 minutes proved to be the best chance for the Blues.
Four minutes later, Ali Coote had a great chance to put Waterford in front on 19 minutes, after being put through by Mattie Smith but Shel's keeper Jack Brady got a finger to it and stopped Coote's shot from making it to the bottom right.
At half time, both teams stood evenly matched - a share of solid chances for both, but neither able to seal the deal.
The second half started with a yelow card for Robbie McCourt, giving up a free to Shel's in a dangerous position, but Brian Murphy was secure as ever in his guarding of the net.
Kurtis Byrne popped up with a thumping header on the 50th minute, it was pointed for the far post, but an excellent save from Brady denied the Dubliner.
The Blues had begun to pick up the pace, as on 51 minutes, Will Fitzgerald got in a cross from the right, it met by Kurtis Byrne, but Brady was solid again and saved the powerful header.
Three minutes later it was Byrne with a chance again, but he was off target with a looping header.
Ai Coote had another great chance on 58 minutes but he shot wide after running on to a great ball from Robbie Weir.
Ten minutes later, the 20 year old Niall O'Keefe struck from the edge of the box, with his attempt skimming the bar by a hair, raising hairs of the Shel's players as it went.
Byrne left the field on the 77th minute to make way for the returning Daryl Murphy, who last played a home game at the RSC in 2005.
He’s back 💪💙 pic.twitter.com/g0TIzQheUb
— Waterford FC (@WaterfordFCie) October 10, 2020
Shortly after coming on, Murphy created a big of magic when he laid the ball on a plate for Will Fitzgerald, but the latter dragged the shot wide when really he should have scored
Disaster struck for the home side on 83 minutes when Tunmise Sobowale put in a needless foul on Ryan Brennan. Former Waterford player Georgie Poynten sent in the resulting free kick from the left side of the penalty area and Ryan Brennan headed home from close range.
Gooooalllll Ryan Brennan!! pic.twitter.com/gRlvzJBIpv
— Shelbourne FC (@shelsfc) October 10, 2020
Daryl Murphy almost equalised on 87 minutes with a blistering shot, but his effort went over.
Two minutes into stoppage time, Robbie McCourt was a just off target with a snap shot from 18 yards.
The full time whistle blew soon after, with the visitors taking the spoils.
FT | And it's all over at the RSC. The Blues very unfortunate to come away with nothing from this game.
🔵WFC | 0️⃣ - 1️⃣ | SFC🔴#WFCvSFC #Blues #LoI— Waterford FC (@WaterfordFCie) October 10, 2020
Speaking after the game, manager Franny Rockett said it was disappointing to lose, especially considering the dominance of the Blues.
Addressing the goal they conceded he said "Its a massive learning curve for the lads. If your not going to win those games or put away those chances - you need to at least see it out and take something from the game. Especially at this end of the season. Its really naïve for us to let that happen at the end of the game because the game plan worked. Everything we worked on throughout the week came to fruition".
You can listen to the full interview with Franny Rockett here
