A second win in four days saw Shamrock Rovers climb above Waterford and regain their grip on the European places. Ronan Finn broke the deadlock late in the first half before goals from Dylan Watts (penalty) and Brandon Miele guaranteed all three poi
A second win in four days saw Shamrock Rovers climb above Waterford and regain their grip on the European places.
Ronan Finn broke the deadlock late in the first half before goals from Dylan Watts (penalty) and Brandon Miele guaranteed all three points for Stephen Bradley's side as they leap-frogged Waterford.
Just 72 hours after their superb victory in Oriel Park, the Hoops should have fallen behind in the fifth minute but Jake Kelly fluffed his lines when released by Kevin Lynch. It was a tepid performance from the visitors in the opening 45 minutes but the visiting fans had something to cheer as Dan Carr brilliantly laid on the opener.
Joel Coustrain's raking ball forward was brilliantly chased down and won by Carr who then had the skill to evade Sean Heaney as he danced down the byline. He sent in a low cross which Finn appeared to nudge over the goalline.
Rovers had the chance to possibly wrap things up right on the stroke of half-time when Miele's corner found the head of Ethan Boyle but a goal-line clearance denied the Hoops right-back.
Stephen Bradley's side seemed intent on grabbing an assuring second on Coustrain almost landed it four minutes into the second period as his left-foot curler drew a chorus of 'oooohs' as it dropped narrowly wide.
Sean Kavanagh would see a wicked free kick pushed behind by Moran but moments later the left-back burst into the box and was clipped by Darragh Gibbons to earn his side a penalty. Dylan Watts kept his cool from 12 yards.
Moran would be beaten for a third time when Watts found Miele and he neatly turned inside the box before squeezing his low, left-footed shot beyond the despairing dive of the goalkeeper.
