Shamrock Rovers made it a winning start to the new season as Ethan Boyle’s stoppage time strike gave them a 2-1 win against Waterford FC at the RSC. Shamrock Rovers were first to attack but Brandon Kavanagh’s free kick was palmed away by Waterford
Shamrock Rovers made it a winning start to the new season as Ethan Boyle’s stoppage time strike gave them a 2-1 win against Waterford FC at the RSC.
Shamrock Rovers were first to attack but Brandon Kavanagh’s free kick was palmed away by Waterford keeper Matthew Connor; the resulting corner cleared from danger.
At the other end, Zack Elbouzedi found Shane Duggan outside the penalty area but he fired wide of Alan Mannus’ goal. Despite all the visitor’s early pressure, it was Waterford FC who took the lead in spectacular fashion.
Shane Duggan was felled 25 yards from goal. Zack Elbouzedi and Kevin Lynch stood over the ball and it was Lynch who brilliantly curled left-footed into the top corner to make it 1-0.
Matthew Connor saved again from Dylan Watts before Jack Byrne’s strike dipped over the crossbar. Both sides went close in the final minute of the first half; first Dan Carr saw his effort cleared off the line by Kevin Lynch at one end, before Izzy Akinade struck the post at the other end.
Ronan Finn was first to threaten in the second half when found by Dan Carr but his strike drifted wide of Connor’s post with the keeper at full stretch. And the equaliser that Rovers’ pressure looked for arrived 10 minutes into the second half.
Dan Carr picked up the loose ball at the back post before squaring for Aaron Greene to fire the equaliser. Matthew Connor saved well from Aaron Greene as they pushed for a winner, while at the other end Izzy Akinade couldn’t get on the end of Rory Feely’s cross.
And Shamrock Rovers snatched a late winner when Ethan Boyle got on the end of Trevor Clarke’s corner kick in the 92nd minute to take the points.
