Second-half goals from Shane Duggan and Zack Elbouzedi gave Waterford FC a 2-0 win over Cork City at the RSC last night.
It was a difficult week for the Blues who were informed on Thursday that they won't be able to play in the Europa League qualifying rounds next season.
Waterford will not be granted a licence from UEFA as technically the club has been in existence for less than three years.
The home side put the worries off the pitch behind them when the defeated Cork City for the second time this season in front of almost 2,700 highly charged supporters.
Alan Reynolds made one change from the draw away to Sligo on Monday - Aaron Drinan was drafted in to replace Scott Twine in attack.
Cork City thought they’d taken a 32nd-minute lead when Conor McCarthy found Graham Cummins who headed at goal. Matthew Connor saved the initial effort but Garry Buckley rebound was ruled out for offside.
The Blues had two good chances to get the opener before the break. Bastien Hery played in Zack Elbouzedi but he fired over, before Hery shot narrowly wide after an Aaron Drinan’s break down the left.
Alan Reynolds' side started the second half well with Shane Duggan forcing Mark McNulty into another excellent save to keep out his powerful, curling strike.
Rory Feely headed straight at McNulty before centreback Dan Casey took another Feely effort off the line.
The Blues got a deserved opening goal as Shane Duggan feigned to shoot before making space to fire at goal from 25-yards beyond McNulty, with the aid of a slight deflection.
McNulty kept out another Duggan chance minutes later before the win was sealed.
As City sent the corner in, Dean Walsh headed clear and Zack Elbouzedi raced clear to fire past McNulty to secure the points.
Main Image: Noel Browne
