Ray Scott
Waterford FC took all three points in a controlled professional performance that saw them defeat Finn Harps by four goals to nil at Finn Park.
Keith Long kept faith with the side that demolished Cobh Ramblers last week with Niall O'Keeffe remaining at left back while Ronan Coughlan spearheaded a Waterford attack that was on song from the opening whistle.
The Harps keeper Tim Heimer was the busiest man on the park and he saved the home side on a number of occasions and also had his woodwork come the rescue before Conor Parsons got the breakthrough on 25 minutes.
Great work from Roland Idowu sent O Keeffe away and his cross was met by Coughlan who saw his header saved by Heimer but Parsons reacted quickest to force the ball home.
Coughlan got in on the act just six minutes later when he picked up the ball on the left, cruised across the top of the box before planting the ball in the bottom corner.
The third came just after the hour and it was a 30 yard screamer that gave Dean McMenamy his first goal of the season before Coughlan got his second from the penalty spot on 72 minutes after Parsons was brought down.
To add to the home side woes, they had to play over a half hour with just ten men after Daithi McCallion was sent off for a second yellow card.
Finn Harps: T Heimer, D McCallion, K Cowan, N Baba, R Flood, K Mashigo (K Jordan 60’), M Harris (F Da Silva 45’), S Keogh, C Porter (D Duffy 77’), S McMonagle, S O Donnell
Waterford FC: P Martin, R Burke (T Sobowale 45’), N O Keeffe, S Griffin (C Conn Clarke 77’), B Baggley, C Parsons (T Oluwa 77’), R Coughlan, R Idowu ( W Aouachria 72’) G Phillips, K Cantwell (E Nolan, 77’) D McMenamy
Referee: Oliver Moran
