Reporting by Matt Keane.
The home side took the lead on 27 minutes through Sean Kavanagh.
Rovers looked to double their advantage on 38 minutes, but Blues defender Maxim Kouogon cleared an Aaron Green effort off the line.
The Dublin side did find their second on 67 minutes, when Roberto Lopez got on the end of a Jack Byrne corner.
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Waterford did get on the scoreboard when Aaron Drinan netted with his side's only shot on target.
It finished Shamrock Rovers 2 Waterford FC 1
