Lonergan is the Waterford hero in super lone goal success over Shels
Waterford FC's Tommy Lonergan is congratulated by team mates after scoring the winner against Shelbourne. Photo: INPH0
Waterford FC claimed a vital three points in their fight for Premier Division survival with a deserved 1-0 victory over Shelbourne at the RSC on Sunday afternoon, as Tommy Lonergan's second-half goal proved enough to separate the sides.
Amid the colour and excitement of the August Bank Holiday weekend, with Spraoi in full swing in Waterford city and the All Together Now festival drawing crowds to nearby Portlaw, there was another cause for celebration for home supporters as the Blues produced a result that could prove crucial in the closing stages of the season.
Roared on by an attendance of 1,977, Graham Coughlan's side moved three points clear of bottom club Sligo Rovers and did so with a display full of energy, resilience and determination. Lonergan's winning goal arrived three minutes after the restart, while a disciplined defensive performance ensured the advantage was protected until the final whistle.
Waterford threatened from the outset and almost made the perfect start after six minutes. Padraig Amond found Jordan Houston on the right and his cross picked out Lonergan, whose looping header beat goalkeeper Ed Beach but rebounded off the near post.
The striker continued to trouble the visitors and came close again on 12 minutes. A long throw from Will Johnson caused problems inside the Shelbourne penalty area and, when the ball broke kindly for Lonergan, he attempted an ambitious overhead kick which drifted narrowly over the crossbar.
Shelbourne thought they had gone ahead midway through the first half when Daniel Kelly finished from close range, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside in the build-up. At the opposite end, Waterford continued to carry the greater threat. Kevin Long saw one effort blocked before the experienced defender produced two crucial interventions to deny Kerr McInroy and Ali Coote as the visitors searched for a breakthrough.
The hosts nearly found the opener on 37 minutes when Evan McLaughlin unleashed a powerful strike from the edge of the area after good work from Johnson. Beach reacted sharply to turn the effort around the post and keep the game scoreless.
Waterford also had strong claims for a penalty before the interval when John Mahon appeared to be pushed in the area by Paddy Barrett following a McLaughlin corner, but referee Lucas Keating allowed play to continue.
The breakthrough finally arrived on 48 minutes. Barrett's attempted clearance fell straight to Amond, who immediately lifted an inviting cross into the area. Lonergan attacked the delivery and powered a diving header beyond Beach from close range to spark celebrations among the home support.
The Blues had a golden opportunity to double their lead eight minutes later when Jack Henry-Francis pulled back McLaughlin inside the penalty area. Lonergan took responsibility from the spot, but his effort crashed off the crossbar and away to safety.
That miss lifted Shelbourne and the visitors pushed forward in search of an equaliser. McInroy had an effort blocked before Kelly's follow-up was brilliantly repelled by Long, who was immense throughout alongside Mahon at the heart of the Waterford defence.
Amond later fired into the side-netting when well placed, but the missed chance did not prove costly. Waterford stood firm during the closing stages and saw out the contest comfortably enough to secure a victory that could have major significance in their battle to retain their top-flight status.
McMullan; Houston (Volias 90), Cann, Mahon, Long, Couto; McLaughlin (McMenamy 84), Johnson (Mawene 51), Noonan (Heeney 84); Lonergan, Amond.
Beach; Mbeng (Gannon 71), Barrett, Bone, Ledwidge (Norris 80); Henry-Francis, McIlroy (Lunney 80); Coote (Ring 80), Caffrey (Moore 71), Kelly; Freitas.
Lucas Keating (Cork).
1,977
