Shamrock Rovers 2 Waterford FC 0

Waterford FC’s poor run of form continued as they fell to their fifth league defeat in a row in a one sided affair at Tallaght Stadium.

Keith Long made four changes with Conan Noonan ruled out due to the loan agreement while James Olayinka, Trae Coyle and Kyle White dropped to the bench. Dean McMenamy returned the starting line up while Ben McCormack made his first league start since the opening night and Sam Glenfield also made his first start.

It was a tight affair for the opening half hour before Rovers upped the tempo, forcing a save from Stephen McMullan when Graham Burke shot from the top of the area.

The opening goal arrived three minutes later when Josh Honohan got behind Nav Bakboord and delivered a peach of the cross to the centre of the six yard area when Aaron McNeff rose to head home.

Rory Gaffney broke the Waterford defensive line on 36 minutes but his shot found the side netting.

Waterford’s opening salvo arrived on 39 minutes when Kacper Radkowski slotted the ball into the area for Podge Amond but Ed McGinty reacted quickly and got there ahead of the Blues’ striker.

There was some positive play in the second half from the visitors but the game was put beyond them by Lee Grace six minutes from time when he rose highest to power home a Jack Byrne free kick off the the upright.

Shamrock Rovers: E McGinty, J Honohan, R Lopes, L Grace, D Cleary, D Watts (J Byrne 76′), A McEneff, G Burke (D Mandriou 76′), M Healy(J O Sullivan 87′), R Gaffney (A Greene 63′), D Grant (V Ozhianvuna 87′)

Waterford FC: S McMullan, N Bakboord, G Horton, R McDonald (M Pouwels 90+2′), B McCormack (Trae Coyle 46′), P Amond, D Leahy, K Radkowski, S Glenfield (J Olayinka 46′), D McMenamy

Referee: D McGraith