National League Premier Division:Waterford United and Cork City served up a scintillating game at the RSC last night that was full of drama, goalmouth action and nail-biting defending.
Both halves exploded into action with United scoring from the penalty spot through Paul Crowley in the first minute.
The 5,000-strong crowd was treated to three goals in the first 12 minutes of the second period.
Colin O'Brien equalised for City, Vinnie O'Sullivan put the Blues back in front and then George O'Callaghan levelled the game again to set up a pulsating second half.
United played the entire second half with 10 men after full back Kenny Browne was sent off just before the half-time whistle.
The game took off like a rocket when United were awarded a penalty after just 24 seconds.
From the kick-off Browne passed to Colm Heffernan and he threaded the ball through to Kevin Waters who jinked his way into the area from the left only to be taken down when he was squeezed between Neal Horgan and Dan Murray.
Crowley took the penalty and sent former Blues goalkeeper Michael Devine the wrong way with a powerful shot.
Stung into action, City swept up-field and forced Dave Mulcahy to concede a free just outside his area on 10 minutes. O'Callaghan's fierce drive hit the wall before the rebound was ballooned over the bar by Roy O'Donovan.
On 18 minutes, City forced two corners in succession but the danger for United passed when Liam Kearney's final shot also went harmlessly over the bar.
Following the penalty, United produced very little in front of goal until just before the half-hour mark when Waters' header from a Heffernan cross was deflected out for a corner. That produced a second corner which was subsequently cleared.
Despite all City's hard work, United goalkeeper Packie Holden wasn't troubled until the 34th minute but, when he was called into action, he produced an excellent save to hold O'Callaghan's header from a Kearney cross.
Two minutes later, Kearney found O'Callaghan in front of goal but his blistering volley struck the topside of the Waterford crossbar and went over for a goal kick.
Five minutes before half-time, even though he was on his knees, Holden produced a brilliant save to deny Alan Bennett. In the melee that followed, United were reduced to 10 men when Browne, was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Joe Gamble.
Two minutes before the break, it was the turn of City goalkeeper, Devine, to shine when he dived full length to turn out a curling shot from Vinnie Sullivan that was destined for the top corner of the net.
Just like the opening minute, the second half began at break-neck speed. Colin O'Brien equalised for City four minutes into the half when he volleyed low and hard through a crowded area but the cheers of the Cork supporters had hardly died away when United went in front again.
The 10-men Blues swept up-field from the restart and Sullivan side-footed into the net from 12 yards after receiving a low cross from Mulcahy.
But Cork responded almost immediately and, on 57 minutes, O'Callaghan dived full length to head an unstoppable ball into the net from close range.
From then to the end it was hectic stuff as City fought desperately to create a match winner but United, clearly out on their feet, defended magnificently.
WATERFORD UNITED: Holden, Breen, Brown, Mulcahy, Doherty, Purcell, Crowley (Andrews, 61 minutes), Grant (Lester, 66 minutes), Sullivan (Jack, 90 minutes), Waters, Heffernan. Subs not used: Finn, Dunphy.
CORK CITY: Devine, Murphy, Bennett, Murray, O'Brien, Fenn (Bruton, 82 minutes), O'Callaghan, O'Donovan, Gamble, Horgan (Woods, 73 minutes), Kearney (Coughlan, 89 minutes). Subs not used: O'Halloran, McNulty.
Referee: Pat Whelan, Dublin.
