Waterford FC 0 Shamrock Rovers 2

A goal in either half ensured maximum points for Shamrock Rovers as Waterford FC failed to lay a glove on the champions who were always in control.

From the opening whistle, the home side found themselves under pressure with Stephen McMullan making a couple of good saves to deny the Hoops. But they weathered the storm and while they never troubled Ed McGinty, the Rovers netminder got down well to deny a Conan Noonan effort just after the half hour.

However, the breakthrough arrived six minutes later when a Jake Mulranney run ended with a layoff to Adam Brennan who floated a free kick between Kevin Long and Benny Couto and Dylan Watts had an easy header to beat Stephen McMullan with some help from the left upright.

The second half was a similar situation with Rovers controlling the exchanges and dealing with any Waterford attacked with ease.

Both managers sought to mix it up and it was Stephen Bradley who got the most purchase when substitute Michael Noonan was sent away down the right with five minutes remaining and he showed all his class to race into the area and fire a left footed effort under McMullan.

Waterford FC: McMullan, Couto, Houston (Faria 56′), Cann, Mahon, Long, Johnson, McMenamy (Heeney 68′), Noonan (Coyle 68′), Lonergan (Voilas 80′), Amond

Shamrock Rovers: McGinty, Sobowale, Grace, Stevens, Watts (Malley 86′), Healy, Mulranney (Matthews 75′), Byrne (O Sullivan 86′), Burke (Greene 70′), McGovern (Noonan 70′), Brennan

Referee: Oliver Moran