Waterford FC end 22-year wait to reach FAI Cup Final with stunning second-half show

CLUB ORANGE FAI MEN'S CUP SEMI-FINAL 

Bohemian FC 0 

Waterford FC 2 

Mawene 51, Lonergan 58

Waterford FC booked their place in the Club Orange FAI Men's Cup final for the first time in 22 years with a sensational 2-0 victory over hot favourites Bohemian FC at Dalymount Park.

Having weathered an intense first-half onslaught from the Dublin side, Graham Coughlan's men produced a clinical and composed second-half display, with goals from Noah Mawene and Tommy Lonergan securing one of the most memorable results in the club's recent history.

Bohemians began strongly and could easily have been out of sight before the interval but for an outstanding performance from Waterford goalkeeper Stephen McMullan.

The hosts created their first opening after five minutes when Zane Myers found Douglas James-Taylor inside the penalty area, but McMullan reacted sharply to get down and make the save.

Bohs continued to dominate possession and territory. Connor Parsons threatened to get in behind the Waterford defence before Hayden Cann produced a vital recovery challenge, while Jordan Flores tested McMullan from distance moments later.

The pressure intensified on 17 minutes. Dawson Devoy picked out Ross Tierney, whose effort was blocked before the rebound fell kindly for Devoy. McMullan produced another excellent save and Cann was on hand again to deny James-Taylor from close range.

Waterford struggled to establish any rhythm and the Gypsies continued to pile forward. Flores delivered a dangerous free-kick midway through the half, with Cian Byrne glancing a header narrowly wide.

McMullan's finest save arrived on 34 minutes. Darragh Power released Parsons down the right and his perfectly weighted pass found James-Taylor with the goal at his mercy. The striker looked certain to score but McMullan somehow kept the effort out.

The Blues survived another major scare three minutes later when Patrick Hickey was denied on the line by Tommy Lonergan following a scramble in the penalty area. Tierney then fired over from a promising position as Bohs' frustration grew.

McMullan was called into action again before the interval, brilliantly tipping away Tierney's powerful header from a Flores cross to preserve the deadlock heading into the break.

Former Waterford player Parsons had the first chance of the second half but his curling effort drifted wide of the far post.

That miss proved costly just a minute later.

Waterford stunned the packed Dalymount crowd in the 51st minute when Benny Couto launched a long throw into the area. James-Taylor's clearing header fell invitingly for Noah Mawene and the midfielder made no mistake, drilling a superb right-footed strike beyond Paul Girard Walters from 20 yards.

Suddenly full of confidence, Waterford began to look dangerous every time they broke forward. Lonergan almost doubled the lead moments later when he raced clear of the Bohs defence, but Walters stood tall to make the save.

The second goal arrived in the 58th minute and it was a moment of quality from the visitors. Jordan Houston's long pass released Padraig Amond down the left and the veteran forward showed excellent awareness to play Lonergan through on goal. The striker, fresh from his Republic of Ireland Under-21 exploits, hammered an unstoppable finish into the roof of the net to spark wild celebrations among the travelling support.

Bohemians attempted to mount a response and James-Taylor went close shortly after the hour mark, but the home side struggled to create the same flow of chances they had enjoyed before the interval.

Waterford remained dangerous on the counter-attack and almost added a third goal six minutes from time. Jorgen Voilas sent Conan Noonan clear through on goal, but the winger saw his effort strike the post.

It mattered little in the end as Waterford comfortably saw out the closing stages to complete a famous victory and secure a place in the FAI Cup final, ending a 22-year wait to return to Irish football's showpiece occasion.

BOHEMIAN FC: Walters; Power, Hickey, Byrne (Madden 73), Mullen (Whelan 63); Devoy, Flores; Myers (Rooney 48), Tierney, Parsons; James-Taylor (Vaughan 73).

WATERFORD FC: McMullan; Cann, Mahon, Long; Houston, Mawene, Heeney (McMenamy 83), Noonan (Faria 88), Couto (Ashton 90); Amond, Lonergan (Voilas 83).

Referee: Rob Harvey (Dublin).