Pádraig Amond was the hero for Waterford FC as his injury-time strike sealed a dramatic 2-1 victory over Cobh Ramblers in the Club Orange FAI Men’s Cup at the RSC.

The veteran forward struck in the third minute of stoppage time to complete a second-half comeback and book the Blues’ place in the next round after they had been frustrated for long periods by a determined Cobh side.

It was the visitors who made the brighter start and they were rewarded inside the opening three minutes. Luka Le Bervet found Jordan Adeyemi on the edge of the area and his effort took a decisive deflection off Hayden Cann, leaving Arlo Doherty with no chance as the ball found the back of the net.

Buoyed by the early breakthrough, Cobh continued to pose a threat. Rhys Gourdie was a constant outlet on the left and created another excellent opportunity, but Rhys Kelly-Noonan was unable to convert from close range. Waterford struggled to settle during the opening half, while Cobh looked dangerous whenever they attacked.

The visitors also had a Will Johnson header ruled out before creating further chances through Adeyemi and Kai O’Neill, with Waterford relieved to trail by just a single goal at the interval.

Graham Coughlan’s side returned for the second half with far greater intent and began to push Cobh deeper into their own half. Amond went close from a Conan Noonan corner before goalkeeper Timothy Martin produced a pair of outstanding saves to deny Benny Couto and substitute Evan McLaughlin.

Waterford’s persistence was finally rewarded with 12 minutes remaining. Jordan Houston’s delivery caused problems inside the penalty area and after the ball broke kindly, McLaughlin reacted first to fire a powerful left-footed finish into the roof of the net and bring the home side level.

The equaliser set up a tense finale as Waterford searched for a winner. Martin continued to impress in the Cobh goal, producing another excellent save to keep out Dean McMenamy from distance and seemingly send the tie towards extra time.

However, the decisive moment arrived deep into added time. Benny Couto’s free-kick was flicked on by Hayden Cann into the path of Amond, who reacted instinctively to finish from close range and send the RSC into celebration.

The late winner ensured Waterford avoided a cup upset against their First Division opponents and secured their place in the next round after a hard-fought contest in which Cobh Ramblers pushed the Premier Division side all the way.

Waterford FC: Doherty; Houston, Mahon, Cann, Dempsey (Couto 61); Coyle (McLaughlin 61), Heeney (McMenamy 61), Johnson, Voilas; Noonan, Amond

Cobh Ramblers: Martin, Linehan (O’Donovan 90), Frahill, Griffin, Gourdie, O’Neill (Galvin 90), Adeyemi (Adenopo 74), Kelly-Noonan, Carroll (McCormick 88), Griffin, Le Bervet

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan (Cork).

Attendance: 1,316

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