A three-goal burst in three minutes from Cork City shattered a Waterford United side which had gone ahead against the run of play in the first half and had appeared to have found the measure of their opponents. United opened the scoring after 34 minutes when Robert Griffin popped up in front of goal to head Christian Hyslop's cross from the left into the roof of the net. The equaliser came on the hour when Liam O'Brien, who had been unleashing long-range missiles slightly off target all night, finally got Michael Devine's goal in his sights and found the target with a fierce 30 yard drive.

Less than two minutes later Pat Morley dived full length to head Colin O'Brien's cross into the back of the net and almost from the restart O'Brien and John Caulfield exchanged passes before former international O'Brien struck another powerful shot, this time from 20 yards. Waterford's opening goal was against the run of play because although United had created a couple of goal scoring chances, most of the first-half pressure and almost all the near misses had came from Cork.

Morley should have opened City's account on 25 minutes when he headed wide from point blank range. Two minutes later Mark Herrick forced Devine into a good save from a well struck free from 28 yards. Twice during the first half O'Brien shaved the woodwork and Herrick also saw his 30-yard drive go inches wide of the upright.

At the other end the City goalkeeper Noel Mooney produced a wonderful save from an Alan Kirby free kick on six minutes. Following City's goalburst the game all but died as a contest, although Waterford tried bravely to mount a renewed challenge.

Waterford United: Devine, Smith, Hyslop, Griffin, McGrath, Riordan, Kirby, Whittle, Gannon, Markey, Stirling. Subs: O'Brien and Wood for Hyslop and Markey (76 mins).

Cork City: Mooney, Dobbs, Cronin, Hill, Daly, L. O'Brien, Cahill, Flanagan, Herrick, Morley, C O'Brien. Subs: Caulfield for Dobbs (55 mins), Glynn for Morley (88 mins).

Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).