Blues left frustrated by an inspired Minogue display between the sticks
Waterford FC's Hayden Cann celebrates his goal against Dundalk in the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division.
Waterford FC were left to rue a catalogue of missed chances as they had to settle for a point against Dundalk FC in the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division at the RSC on Friday night last.
Graham Coughlan's side created enough opportunities to claim all three points, registering ten clear openings over the course of the evening. However, an inspired display from Dundalk goalkeeper Enda Minogue and a dramatic late miss from Tommy Lonergan ensured the spoils were shared.
The visitors took the lead against the run of play on 21 minutes when John Mahon inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, but Hayden Cann's powerful header restored parity before the interval.
Waterford made a bright start and should have gone in front after eight minutes. Padraig Amond headed into the path of Conan Noonan, but the winger dragged a left-footed effort wide of the far post.
Three minutes later, Minogue produced the first of a series of outstanding saves. Hayden Cann slipped Jorgen Voilas through on goal, but the Dundalk keeper denied him before reacting sharply again to keep out Amond from the rebound.
The home side went even closer on 12 minutes. Noonan released Voilas behind the Dundalk defence and his effort crashed off the near post. The danger was not over, but Minogue recovered quickly to gather a deflected Amond effort on the goal line.
At the other end, Stephen McMullan was called into action on 14 minutes, making a smart save after Daryl Horgan cut in from the left and got away a dangerous effort.
Despite Waterford's dominance, Dundalk edged in front on 21 minutes. Benny Couto's attempted clearance was intercepted by John Ross Wilson, whose cross was diverted into his own net by Mahon despite McMullan's efforts to prevent the ball crossing the line.
Waterford's response was immediate and Minogue again came to Dundalk's rescue three minutes later, brilliantly tipping Amond's header over the bar after Noah Mawene delivered an inviting cross from the right.
The visitors' goalkeeper remained the busiest player on the pitch. On 28 minutes he produced another superb stop, clawing Mahon's close-range header over the crossbar after Kevin Long had flicked on a corner.
The Blues finally found the breakthrough their first-half display deserved in the 37th minute. Couto delivered an excellent inswinging corner from the left and Cann rose highest to power an unstoppable header beyond Minogue.
Waterford nearly completed the turnaround before the break when Noonan drifted in unmarked at the back post, but he directed his header narrowly wide from a teasing Voilas cross.
The second half failed to match the intensity of the opening period. Dundalk manager Ciaran Kilduff introduced four substitutes shortly after the hour mark as his side sought greater control.
Aodh Dervin tested his luck from distance on 77 minutes, though his effort never troubled McMullan, while Cian Dillon came closer four minutes from time when his attempted lob drifted just over the Waterford crossbar.
The hosts should have found a winner late on. In the 88th minute, Noonan beat his marker and delivered a cross to Amond at the back post. His effort was brilliantly cleared off the line by Tom Grivosti before Voilas headed the loose ball straight at Minogue.
Waterford had two final opportunities deep into stoppage time. Minogue saved from a Benny Couto free-kick at his near post before the full-back delivered another dangerous ball into the area that somehow evaded everyone except Tommy Lonergan, who steered wide from close range.
It proved to be the final chance of an entertaining contest as both sides were forced to settle for a point.
McMullan; Cann, Long, Mahon, Couto; Voilas, Mawene, McLaughlin, Noonan; Amond, Lonergan.
Minogue; Wilson (Warren 61), Animasahun, Grivosti, Vassenin (Groome 72); Gaxha (McDaid 61), Buckley (Dervin 61), Teahan, Tracey (Burns 61), Horgan; Dillon.
Lucas Keating (Cork).
1,977.
