Waterford 2
Dundalk 1
Paul Dollery reports from the RSC
THERE’S A THREE-WAY tie at the top of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division table this evening after Waterford maintained their undefeated home record by getting the better of Dundalk.
All three goals came during an extended period of additional time at the end of the first half, which was a consequence of an injury to Dundalk midfielder Stephen O’Donnell.
Izzy Akinade netted twice to register his first league goals for Waterford following his winter move from Bohemians. Ronan Murray produced an immediate response for the visitors to leave them trailing 2-1 at the break, but that’s how it remained at full-time after a pulsating contest played in front of a raucous 3,508 crowd.
Dundalk’s second visit to the south in the space of eight days brought them their second defeat of the season. The Lilywhites went down 1-0 against Cork City at Turner’s Cross last Friday.
Waterford, who have now won seven of their eight home league games in 2018, join Dundalk and Cork on 31 points at the summit of the table. Dundalk’s superior goal difference keeps them on top, although Cork will move ahead tomorrow if they avoid defeat at home to Limerick.
This was Dundalk’s first visit to the RSC since November 2012, when a Michael Rafter brace secured the Louth outfit’s top-flight status via a 4-2 aggregate victory in the promotion/relegation play-off. Six years later, both clubs find themselves in very different circumstances.
Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny named an unchanged side from their 5-0 win over St Patrick’s Athletic on Monday. Waterford boss Alan Reynolds — who was again without key defender Kenny Browne — made two adjustments from their 1-0 victory against Bohemians. Dave Webster returned at the back at the expense of Derek Daly, while Gavan Holohan was restored to the midfield in place of Faysel Kasmi.
Dundalk were in control for much of the first half, with Michael Duffy continuing his impressive recent form by posing plenty of problems for Waterford down the left flank. The former Celtic winger curled an effort wide early on as he searched for his eighth league goal of the season. He was later played through by Robbie Benson, but the Derry native’s shot across the face of goal was always drifting away from Lawrence Vigouroux’s far post.
Murray also threatened on a couple of occasions. The ex-Ipswich Town forward volleyed wide from close range as Waterford struggled to clear their lines, and moments earlier his free-kick deflected off the wall and safely into the arms of Vigouroux.
The home side went close to taking the lead against the run of play when they finally tested Dundalk goalkeeper Gary Rogers in the 37th minute. Stanley Aborah’s cross from the right found the head of Akinade, but Rogers produced an excellent save.
The game was then halted for over five minutes due to what looked like a serious knee injury sustained by O’Donnell. The Dundalk skipper went down under a challenge from Aborah, who was subsequently booked. The reaction of both sets of players was telling, as O’Donnell was clearly in severe discomfort.
The veteran midfielder was stretchered off and replaced by Chris Shields as time ticked beyond the 45th minute. However, in spite of the impending arrival of the interval, the game then sprung into life during a manic nine-minute period of additional time.
Akinade rose highest to head Waterford into the lead when he beat Rogers to Rory Feely’s long delivery from a free-kick. Despite requiring treatment after colliding with Rogers, Akinade doubled Waterford’s advantage five minutes later, finishing neatly from just inside the box.
While the home fans celebrated their side’s unlikely two-goal lead, Dundalk hit back just before the half-time whistle. John Mountney was fouled by Paul Keegan, before Murray beat Vigouroux with a superb strike from the free-kick.
Similar to their win over Cork City here last month, there was an increased sense of purpose about Waterford following the break. Gavan Holohan struck narrowly wide just after the restart, but the closest they came to increasing their lead was when Paul Keegan’s half-volley struck the post in the 62nd minute.
As they redoubled their efforts to draw level, Dundalk didn’t struggle to create chances. Notably, however, they failed to ask any serious questions of Vigouroux. Duffy and Benson both saw shots from distance sail wide, Hoban’s header from Murray’s cross went straight at the goalkeeper, while Benson and Hoban both should have done better with close-range efforts that missed the target.
There was a significant moment midway through the second half when Duffy appeared to be brought down in the box by Dylan Barnett, but the Dundalk winger was booked for simulation — much to the relief of the home support.
Dundalk’s desperate pursuit of an equaliser continued into the four minutes of additional time, but Waterford defended heroically, Webster and Akinade making crucial blocks to deny Shields and Jamie McGrath respectively.
WATERFORD: Lawrence Vigouroux; Dylan Barnett, Rory Feely, Dave Webster, Garry Comerford; Paul Keegan; Bastien Hery, Stanley Aborah (John Martin, 70); Gavan Holohan; Izzy Akinade; Courtney Duffus (Sander Puri, 84).
DUNDALK: Gary Rogers; Sean Hoare, Brian Gartland, Dan Cleary (Jamie McGrath, HT), Dean Jarvis; Stephen O’Donnell (Chris Shields, 45), Robbie Benson; John Mountney, Ronan Murray (Dylan Connolly, 63), Michael Duffy; Patrick Hoban.
Referee: Derek Tomney
Fair play munster that’s a great point in the end
A great, but irrelevant point
We’ll see if its irrelevant in Jan.
It means that Munster need a win instead of a bonus point win against Saracens. Plus a bonus point win against Sale. Plus Saracens get nothing from Claremont. Fabulous.
So not irrelevant then?
Most Munsterish ending ever.
Great bonus point, but hard not to look at the early dominance and missed tries and not think of what might have been….
Serious problems with scrums with Munster and Leinster. Couple of injuries and we are both screwed everythime.
Management in both provinces seems to be way off. Ireland had a terrible run of injuries and still managed both performances and results. The IRFU have their work cut out for them.
Scrummaging in Ireland has forever been average to poor.
Couldn’t agree more. It was too early for Foley to be given such a big job. He has to go.
A step too far today, big ask to get a victory next round but that bonus point is the difference between needing a bonus point win or just a win and give Saracens nothing and take 5 off sale last round.
I don’t know why but I just find Keatley seems to show more consistency and nerve in his kicking playing away from home… Sale game, marseille last year and nailed all of them today.. Great bottle shown in the end there. That point will be absolutely crucial!
Couldn’t agree more, I’ve often defended Keatley and when I do I always reference his performances against the big teams away where he really seems to flourish. Just wish he could do it on a consistent basis and he could really develop into a top player.
Had a good game today, made some good line breaks and nerves of steel at the end to nail that kick.
Just not good enough.
It would appear the RFU and French paymasters will get what they want with a French/Anglo duopoly this year barring a massive turnaround. Praying that any of the three provinces make it through. Rugby has taken a step towards soccer monotony with the largest wage bill winning out 99% of the time.
The Sooper Dooper Cup indeed.
Stereotype much?
Footballs Champions League has yet to be retained by any team , Man City the team with the highest wage bill hasn’t come within an asses roar of winning it.
Conway and Jones not good enough. JJ showed what he can do. Better not lose him.
Another defeat. Long trip home for the thousands of disappointed Munster fans. To the brave and faithful nothing is impossible – except beating Clermont either home or away.
We have beaten Clermont at home. TWICE. Get your facts right, Robson.
Robson, Munster lost away to a top class European side a week ago we lost to a average English one.
As a Leinster fan I’d be a little happier in Munster shoes than ours at the minute.
Pity they weren’t playing a piss poor bayonne team in a nothing competition hey knobson. Suppose ur alter ego paul sheehan will be on here supporting you in the minute.
Well done Munster got a point out of nothing injuries really hurt them today!
Well robsonkeane at least the supporters in France are true sporting fans your just a little bitter limerick man who clams to be a Connacth ” fan ” yet I doubt you have ever been to a Connacth game.
You get your rocks off trolling every Munster story with your fellow deluded Waterford buddy.
Eamonn no need drag Connacth into it. Robson is from limerick he’s a Munster man born and breed .
He’s just a bitter little troll
Robson, your clearly not enough into rugby to know the fact that Munster have beaten Clermont at home before,your also clearly a dope who gets his kicks by showing the world just how much of a dope you are…kinda pity you really.
Chris, I think Foley and Matt O Connor seem to have similar game plan that just does not work with any team with a bit of running ability and a reasonably good set piece.
Robson, go play with the traffic.
That’s a good lad
Your from limerick Robson that’s well know on here !
And ya I’ll be at the game I live in Galway. Ya your such a die hard Connacth fan you had time a few weeks ago too troll a Munster thread on here while Munster and Connacth had games on at the same time .
You spoofer robsonkeane!
A Munster fan from Connacht? Go and support your local team pal. I’ll meet you in Oranmore some night in my local.
I live and work in Galway I’m 100% Munster kid.
Next time I’m in keans or the brewery I’ll look out for the lad on his iPhone with the Connacth shirt and limerick accent
Robson is a United fan.
Read the United V Liverpool thread. He is a United fan.
Robson, since when is Manchester United your local team ? Ya tool.
Munster were awful.. Living on past glories for far to long .. No penetration whatsoever.
Just not good enough, flaws were exposed last week and the same mistakes were present again.today. Foley has to go. Great player in his day but he hasn’t got a f***** clue about the management side of the game.
What do you expect when he hired mick o Driscoll as the skills coach !
Is being able to block a jacks considered to be a skill now?????
Why the red thumbs? Either justify the level of performance today with a comment or f**[ off.
Lets put it this way. Do people think Munster have progressed or regressed since last season ?
Ya same mistakes repeat but not a many as last week.
The players out injured is a big problem bar Copland there was no one to bring on.
But Munster are not at the level of the French super teams money talks in the top14 .
Munster and can give them a scare when there at there best but until Irish teams have the funds to bring in top player’s it’s going to be hard going.
it’s way too early to be calling for Foleys head .
Im not calling for his head. I believe he has to be given time. And as you said, trying to compete with these mega rich French clubs is practically impossible. I simply asked the question to gauge opinion.
Keatley was our hero and villain today, his kicking from hand in the first half put us under huge pressure allowing the opposition to run back at us. No more so than before half time that kick should have been in the stand instead quick line out and boom nail in coffin time. Some balls to get the last one though!
I’m not giving up on Munster yet. Great bonus point today against the potential champions. Beat Sarries away and it’s all down to last home game against Sale where we need 4 tries. Read your history books. It’s not impossible.
No need to be ratty, Sean Pol O’Finn. Take your defeat and deal with it. I’m Connacht born and bred. I’ll see you at the match in a few weeks – that’s if you actually go to games like me. Ye will still get out of this group. Saracens are not up to much.
Ah yes, those well known pauper underdogs Real Madrid who have the 2nd highest wage bill in football won it this year Eamon, my bad.
The way pro Football is run is clearly a socialists wet dream that rugby should aspire to.
Come on now lads – you all know more than this. It’s away to Saracens next, so that bonus point was irrelevant. And you all know that you know that. Great game nonetheless.
Its true. Munster have absolutely no history of going to England and winning against the odds…..
Clermont very, very sloppy in both games in terms of letting Munster off the hook. They probably didn’t deserve anything from the game in Thomond, definitely didn’t deserve anything from this game, but Clermont go miles in front, chasing a bonus point win and give Munster a very cheap 10 points.
That losing bonus point could be the difference at the end of the groups. If they didn’t get it they were out, but now still very doable. Beat Saracens away (who are in an awful run of form) and hammer a disinterested Sale at home and I reckon they’re through.
Much better level of rugby in Clermont then the game last night in Lansdowne Rd.
Great result for Connacht yesterday. Please God they can keep the performances coming.